Reject vote buying – Christian Council

The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) has urged Ghanaians to reject any acts of inducement and vote buying by politicians in the 2016 general elections.

CCG made the call in its New Year message to the citizenry released in a statement to the media by its General Secretary, Rev Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong.

The Christian body, in the statement, stated: “We urge Ghanaians to reject any political party or politician whose actions are dangerous to the peace of the country.”

It stressed that “Ghanaians must vote against politicians who do not campaign on issues and reject any form of inducement or vote buying,” calling for a “peaceful” and “credible” election.

According to CCG, “We (electorate) must not vote for politicians because they are popular, but because they have engaged in an issue-based campaign and they have the capacity to lead and perform.”

The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government being led by President John Dramani Mahama was in the news during the by-elections held at Amenfi West and Talensi over allegations of vote buying.

The CCG call is apparently aimed at preventing the electorate from voting into office politicians who might not be able to make any significant contributions to national development, thus plunging the country into another ‘self-induced’ economic hardship in 2017 when a new government takes office.

CCG also called on leaders from the various divides to produce what it termed tangible results for the positions they occupy.

It stated that “In 2016, we need our leaders not to just occupy positions but achieve tangible results that transform the lives of the people they lead. Leadership positions must be seen as a privilege to serve and better lives.”

It further posited that “In this New Year, we need leaders who will talk less but deliver the needed results we need as a people and nation. The 2016 general elections will be one of the major issues in this New Year.”