“The ongoing practice of exchanging money during elections—both giving and receiving—places our democracy at great risk. If we continue down this path, we could find ourselves in a perilous situation,” cautioned Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).
The Chairperson of the NCCE strongly condemned the monetization of politics in Ghana, particularly emphasizing its connection to illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. She highlighted that this issue has emerged as one of the most significant threats to the country’s environment and future.
During a stakeholder engagement in Damongo, Savannah Region, the NCCE Chair highlighted that the quest for political power has led some politicians to engage in unethical practices, including funding their campaigns with profits from illegal mining.
She expressed serious concern about the rising trend in Ghana’s political landscape, warning that using money to influence voters threatens the democracy that Ghanaians hold dear.
She emphasized that a significant portion of the funds being distributed for votes primarily comes from galamsey activities.
Additionally, she raised an important question: “Are we saying that, for the sake of politics and leadership, we are willing to destroy not just today’s livelihoods but also those of future generations?”
“Monetization has seeped into our political culture in a manner that poses a danger to us as citizens and as a country, threatening our fledgling stability and the political landscape,” she cautioned.
Mrs. Addy urged both citizens and politicians to recognize the long-term repercussions of galamsey and to reject the trend of monetizing politics, which not only undermines democracy but also jeopardizes the nation’s future.
