A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communication team, Hamza Suhuyini Esq., has expressed the belief that greater public relations efforts to educate electorates about the immorality of accepting money and gifts to induce votes could have eradicated these practices long ago.

Speaking on GHone TV on Monday, January 9, he highlighted that, for the first time, a president has issued a statement addressing allegations of vote buying and condemning such practices, which he sees as a significant step towards curbing this issue.

“For the first time, we are having the presidency of the Republic of Ghana itself issuing a statement to condemn vote buying,” he stated.

Hamza Suhuyini further indicated that the NDC, along with the majority caucus, has echoed this sentiment by issuing a public statement against vote buying. “We have never had this kind of synergy in the past,” he remarked.

He noted that historically, individuals were often shielded and defended when allegations of vote buying arose in the media. “At first, people were shielded when many of these allegations were brought out by the media practitioners like yourself,” he uttered.

Hamza Suhuyini emphasised that the NDC is committed to the service of democracy and is determined to eliminate the practice of vote buying from their party.

“We have decided to put the spotlight on ourselves as a political party. What more encouragement do you need as media practitioners? We are willing to be helped by everybody to ensure that we end this canker in our party,” he stated.

This call to action reflects a renewed commitment from the NDC to tackle this issue head-on, demonstrating an openness to collaboration with the media and other stakeholders in the pursuit of a fair electoral process.