Presidential candidate of the Convention People’s Party, Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, has asked Ghanaians to accept financial inducement from politicians but should not let that influence their vote.
“… they will come in both the night and day, and they will tell you lies. They will try and deceive you and give you money, take the money because the money belongs to you; it is Ghana’s money but know in your heart where the truth is, where the justice is, where the hope is and where the opportunity is for all the citizens in this nation” he advised.
Mr Greenstreet’s call comes on the back of concerns that some political parties are engaged in vote-buying ahead of this year’s December 7 general elections.
Governance think-tank, Center for Democratic Development in its pre-election survey in August found the National Democratic Congress as the party leading in vote buying in the country.
A total of 51 per cent of those surveyed by the think-tank claimed the John Mahama-led government is offering gift in exchange for their votes. The New Patriotic Party came second with a 32 per cent.
Gifts ranging from money, drinks, outboard motors, food items, cars and clothes among others are being distributed to electorates by the various political parties across the country in exchange for their vote.
Although the practice has been condemned by many, Mr Greenstreet at his campaign tour of Central Region, told the people of Twifo Mampong and Ghanaian electorates to accept such gift and money but vote against such candidates.
Mr Greenstreet accused both the NPP and NDC for putting Ghanaians in a state of suffering, noting despite the fact that the country is blessed with numerous natural resources, citizens still wallow in abject poverty.
“NPP and NDC are the same, for 24 good years we have suffered under the NPP and the NDC, so December 2016, they should go away. God has blessed Ghana; we are wealthy nation, we have cocoa, oil, bauxite, timber, etc we are not suppose to be poor at all” he argued.
Collins Essuman|3FM|3news.com|Ghana