A former communication team member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Stephen Atubiga, who left to form the National Liberation Congress (NLC), has called on Ghanaian voters and political party delegates to acknowledge their role in fostering corruption among politicians.

Atubiga claims that the monetization of Ghana’s elections has created a serious problem, making it nearly impossible to combat corruption. He pointed out the problematic practice of political party delegates demanding money from individuals seeking to run for office.

He argued that because this issue has received so little attention, it has become commonplace for prospective lawmakers, presidential candidates, and party officials to provide large sums of money to delegates in order to secure votes. This practice has extended to national elections, creating an environment ripe for corruption.

Atubiga explained that when voters demand significant financial contributions from candidates, those politicians often enter office with the intent to recoup their expenses, thereby prioritizing personal gain over national development.

He highlighted that the commercialization of both national and internal elections has led to more serious issues on all fronts, asserting that Ghanaians themselves have sown the seeds of corruption by demanding money and other valuables before casting their votes.

“these politicians do not have the means to fund their political offices, and so when the Ghanaian voters demand money from them before voting for them, they steal from the state coffers when they get into office to recoup what they spent on their campaigns.

"You have planted the seed of corruption in them, and so when they get power or are elected into office, they will steal from your state.”