The Member of Parliament for Atebubu-Amantin in the Bono East Region, Sanja Nanja, has called for a decisive end to vote buying, describing the practice as a growing threat to Ghana’s democratic development.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday edition ‘Adea Akye Abia’ hosted by Ama Konadu on Sompa Fm-Sunyani, the MP stated that vote buying was not a common feature of Ghana’s politics at the beginning of the Fourth Republic.

“It wasn’t like this in 1992,” he said. “This practice started in the early 2000s, and we must not tolerate it anymore.”

The MP stressed that the growing allegations of inducements during elections undermine public confidence in the democratic process and must be addressed with urgency.

Touching on recent developments within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the MP, Sanja clarified that the party does not hate former Deputy Minister, Baba Jamal following his annulment.

“The NDC does not hate Baba Jamal,” he stated. “But principles must be principles. They must work equally without discrimination and without favoritism.”

He explained that enforcing discipline within the party should not be misconstrued as personal animosity.

“When you punish your son for wrongdoing, it does not mean you hate him,” he said. “It means you are preparing him for a better future.”

The MP further emphasized that the party’s action was not targeted at Baba Jamal as an individual but was in response to a specific alleged misconduct.

“We did not condemn Baba Jamal alone,” he noted. “We were against that particular misconduct.”

He added that Baba Jamal’s own media engagements following reports of the alleged sharing of items and money led the issue to the public domain.

“It was after the alleged sharing of items and money that he granted interviews, and that made the matter public,” he said.

The MP reiterated the need for fairness, accountability, and strict adherence to democratic principles to protect the integrity of Ghana’s electoral system.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan