Social media users have taken a swipe at the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Akweley Ocloo, following her remarks regarding vote-buying in the ongoing election rerun at Ablekuma North.
The Minister dismissed allegations of vote-buying, justifying the provision of transport support to party members as a necessary and legitimate means to facilitate their participation in the electoral process.
In an interview on JoyNews, monitored by GhanaWeb on Friday, July 11, 2025, she stated, “Every election, there's vote-buying. So, if we are buying votes, they should also buy their votes…We have members who traveled all the way from Kumasi and they have to come and vote. So, if such people come, you have to give them T&T [transport and travel allowance] to go and vote. I don't think it's vote-buying. So, if you think it's vote-buying, you too go and buy their vote. It's as simple as that.”
She argued that reimbursing voters' transportation expenses was not unethical and did not compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
“Which one is integrity? If someone is loyal to you, why not? The person will vote for you with or without money. Giving the person T&T is not vote-buying,” she remarked.
Linda Ocloo further explained that several party supporters had contacted her from different parts of the country including Kumasi and Tarkwa, and she had pledged to help them return to the constituency to vote.
“This morning, I had to call a couple of people. I gave out my number when I was at Max TV. People are in Kumasi, others in Tarkwa and other areas. I told them when they come, they should call me, so I can give them their T&T.
"We are not giving out money — point of correction. We are supporting them with T&T. For instance, someone calls and says she doesn’t have transport. I say, ‘Okay, pick an Uber. When you come, let me pay the Uber.’ I pay the Uber. Is that vote-buying?”
The rerun, taking place across 19 polling stations, is expected to bring finality to the parliamentary representation impasse in the Ablekuma North constituency.
The contest is between the NPP’s Nana Akua Afriyie and the NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn.
Despite defending her position in an X post, stating that “Giving out transport for citizens to go and cast ballots at their respective polling stations is not vote-buying!”, many social media users strongly disagreed.
One user posted, “Accra is supposed to carry some class with a touch of elitism. How did you all end up with a regional minister behaving like this? Even my TikTok minister wouldn’t act this way.”
Another added, “Disgraceful! These guys actually believe the over 6 million votes they accrued are all NDC sympathisers. Let’s be clear — the majority of those votes have nothing to do with the party. They were a demand for change. If you fail, you’ll go down. That’s a promise. This is nothing short of an open acceptance of corruption, and @ospghana must investigate. She should be stripped of her appointment if we’re truly working against corruption. Loose talk, madam! And that right there is a corrupt act. Purely disgusting coming from a regional minister.”
See the posts below:
Giving out transport for citizens to go and cast ballots at their respective polling stations is not vote buying!🇬🇭
— Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo (@HonLindaAkweley) July 11, 2025
Accra is supposed to carry some class with a touch of elitism, how did you all end up with a regional minister behaving like this? Even my TikTok minister wouldn’t act this way.
— Engr. Gabriel Ghansah (@BigGhansah) July 11, 2025
@HonLindaAkweley ah but why are you speaking unintelligently here? I kinda now understand why you had a free sail during your vetting process coz wei deɛɛ nyansa baako sei nnim! 😏
— Don Papa 🇿🇦 🇺🇸 (@RichyDonPapa) July 11, 2025
Such an irresponsible statement from a high-profile politician. In places where citizens are informed and take active part in the political process, this statement alone qualifies for immediate dismissal from office. Or she’d be “forced” or pressured to resign. UNACCEPTABLE!
— Masoûd (@_nursingguy) July 11, 2025
Such an irresponsible statement from a high-profile politician. In places where citizens are informed and take active part in the political process, this statement alone qualifies for immediate dismissal from office. Or she’d be “forced” or pressured to resign. UNACCEPTABLE!
— Masoûd (@_nursingguy) July 11, 2025
Which part of Ghana’s Constitution or CI says political parties must provide transport for people to vote? Do you even understand vote buying? Under PNDCL 284 and the Criminal Offences Act (Act 29), giving money, even as “transport” is bribery. And you’re an MP and Minister?…
— Engr. Gabriel Ghansah (@BigGhansah) July 11, 2025
If Ghanaians can't afford or willingly pay for transport to go and vote, what do you think could be the problem? Reason like a human being for once... Ghanaian youth are not ready and they're not angry enough
— Kwadwo Tieku (@adukwadwotieku) July 11, 2025
Please avoid such actions. Your statement contained an error. Be mindful of your comments as a minister.
— Nana Kwesi Eshun (@_NanaCwesi_) July 11, 2025
Stop this! It was enough speaking to the media.
— MPK 𓃵 (@MPKwarteng_) July 11, 2025
It is in every sense of it and you must stop, and never do this again.
— Izzy (@iamedemgabby2) July 11, 2025
What sort of eyi is this?
Very disappointing, Minister. There’s a saying, " if you want to judge whether something should be tolerated, imagine if everyone did the same. If every politician acted as you just suggested, where would that leave our democracy?" This was truly disheartening.
— Lilies Of The Valley (@liliesofvalleys) July 11, 2025
Instead of apologizing you're still here gaslighting people. Just say that wasn't what you intended to imply and the chapter would have been closed
— ʟᴜᴋɪ (@the_blacksmitth) July 11, 2025
SSD/MA
Meanwhile, watch a video from the Ablekuma North elections below
