Former Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, Edward Ennin, has claimed that Ghana will go into bankruptcy after the upcoming presidential primaries for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He made the comments against the backdrop of alleged vote-buying in the forthcoming presidential race.
In his view, some presidential aspirants in the race are allegedly soliciting the services of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Board Chairmen, and ministers to disburse huge amounts of money to delegates to influence their consciences to vote for a particular aspirant.
He said the move is an attempt to secure the votes of the delegates, something he described as undemocratic and highly inimical to the principles of the NPP’s party ideologies.
In an interview on OKay FM on October 27, 2023, he detailed the potential financial implications of these alleged vote-buying activities, noting that the substantial whooping amount of money taken from government coffers for this exercise could propel the country into possible bankruptcy.
“Three days ago, someone called me, and a whole chief executive officer who has been an NDC member previously was given money to distribute to delegates in North Tamale and Bolga.”
“I was like, I wish people would go and confront him to rob him. They are using CEOs, board chairmen, and certain ministers to distribute money. In the November 4 elections, that is what they are doing, so if you have a genuine candidate, will you be using money?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3so6qFe6EA0
“I am saying that by the time they finish this election, the NPP, the already bankrupt state we are in, will be two times worse, so whoever becomes president, if you don’t go after such people for the money, you can never succeed because where would you get the money to work? he queried
He stated that the economy is now struggling to survive, and aspirants are using such huge amounts of money to influence delegates to secure their votes at the expense of the already suffering Ghanaians.
“While Ghana is broke, individuals have the cash, so if you come to power and you don’t chase them for the money, then less than one year of your stay in power will result in an uprising,” he added.
Mr. Ennin questioned the presidential hopeful scheme, as the highest bidder takes all instead of allowing delegates to vote based on their competence.
The NPP presidential race is slated to take place on November 4, 2023, to elect someone who will take the baton from Akufo-Addo and lead the party into victory come 2024.
By Lawrence Odoom