All is not well with our democracy – Afari Gyan

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Former Ghanaian Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan remarked that his critical evaluation of the nation’s democracy should act as a wake-up call, imploring Ghanaians to acknowledge the deterioration of their democratic ideals and demand better of their leaders.

“All is not well with our democracy,” he said.

His harshest criticism was saved for the open market vote-buying and selling that he called “a shameful spectacle” that has tainted recent elections. Any vote buying or selling that occurred in the past was done so in secret. Today, it isn’t the case.

Now, it appears as though there is an open market where voters may openly sell their votes in broad daylight to candidates, while we all stand by seemingly unaffected. Since vote buying and selling are illegal, it is a disgraceful show.

“In days gone by, whatever vote buying or selling there was took place in secrecy. It’s not so these days. What we have now looks like an open market where candidates can freely buy votes and citizens can freely sell their votes in broad daylight while we all look on seemingly unconcerned. It is a shameful spectacle because vote buying and vote selling are unlawful,” he stated.

He underlined the unlawfulness of these actions, stressing how Vote buying and vote selling undercut the notion that we elect our representatives freely and that we have the power to hold them accountable.

All of this was stated by him in a strong keynote speech organised by the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School and the One Ghana Movement on Monday, January 8, 2024, Constitution Day Public Lecture.

Source: Radiooneghana.com