Stop Using ‘Fire Service Approach’ in Fight Against Corruption – Crusaders Against Corruption

The Chief Crusader of Crusaders Against Corruption (CAC), Emmanuel Wilson, has called on the state to abandon what he described as a “fire service approach” to fighting election-related corruption. He warned that selective and reactive actions only threaten the foundations of Ghana’s democracy.

Speaking in an interview on Sunyani-based Sompa FM on Monday, February 9, 2026, Mr. Wilson said Ghana must adopt a pragmatic, consistent and proactive strategy to combat vote buying and vote selling, which are criminal offences under the country’s electoral laws.

According to him, the routine issuance of statements condemning electoral corruption, without swift and independent action by law enforcement agencies, only emboldens political parties, candidates and delegates to continue corrupting the system.

“Vote buying and vote selling are criminal offences. Writing statements alone will not stop them. The appropriate law enforcement agencies must act independently and decisively,” he stressed.

Mr. Wilson referenced developments in the recent NDC parliamentary primaries in Ayawaso East, where allegations of vote buying dominated public discourse, arguing that the state’s response once again exposed weaknesses in Ghana’s anti-corruption framework.

He criticised the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) for what he described as a delayed and reactive decision to investigate the alleged vote-buying incidents in both the Ayawaso East NDC parliamentary primaries and the recent NPP presidential primaries.

According to him, the OSP only moved to investigate after the Presidency publicly condemned the incidents, describing the action as an afterthought rather than a demonstration of institutional independence.

“The OSP is not being proactive. There have been several reported cases of vote buying over the years, yet no action was taken. Acting only after public pressure undermines public confidence,” he stated.

Mr. Wilson also described the Presidency’s decision to terminate the appointment of Baba Jamal as Ghana’s Ambassador to Nigeria as “much ado about nothing,” noting that Mr. Jamal was already obliged to resign after contesting in the primaries.

He insisted that symbolic actions alone cannot cure the growing culture of electoral corruption.

To ensure accountability, Mr. Wilson called on the Majority and Minority in Parliament to summon the Special Prosecutor to explain how his office has handled previous and recent allegations of vote buying and selling in Ghana’s elections.

Despite his criticisms, the anti-corruption campaigner commended the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for what he described as a bold stance in addressing the vote-buying allegations involving Baba Jamal and other aspirants in the Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries.

He urged other political parties to learn from the NDC’s response, stressing that internal accountability within parties is a critical step in safeguarding Ghana’s democratic process.

Mr. Wilson concluded that Ghana’s democracy can only be protected if institutions act decisively and consistently against electoral corruption, regardless of political affiliation.

By Edmond Gyebi 

 

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