News:
February 9, 2026
The Member of Parliament for Tamale Central , Professor Seidu Alidu, has stated that while the monetization creeping into Ghanaian politics is a difficult problem to cure, it can be addressed through the strict enforcement of existing laws.
Professor . Alidu described the practice as a “critical existential threat” to the nation’s democratic consolidation. He argued that it prevents competent and experienced individuals from gaining the mandate of their constituents.
His comments came in reaction to calls from the Majority Caucus to cancel the recent Ayawaso East NDC primaries over allegations of vote-buying. The MP noted that Ghana already has laws prohibiting the use of money to influence elections.
He pointed to pervasive poverty as a key driver of the issue, stating, “In a country where quite a huge number of its citizens are within the poverty bracket, spending less than a dollar a day, you are likely to have such a problem.”
Furthermore, Professor Alidu explained that the general social lifestyle of citizens feeds into the political process. To properly tackle monetization, he suggested that additional laws could be considered if necessary, but emphasized that enforcement is the critical component.
The MP commended the leadership of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) for forming a committee to investigate the Ayawaso East primaries allegations. “So that those who are found guilty would be dealt with to serve as a deterrent for others in the future,” he emphasized.
He also praised President John Dramani Mahama for his decisive action in revoking the appointment of the sole public official among the candidates in that primary. “He is fighting corruption regardless of the fact that the accused person is a member of his party,” Professor Seidu Alidu
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso / Ghanamps.com