The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has stated that vote-buying in Ghanaian politics is a societal problem that goes beyond individual politicians.

Speaking recently on TV3's Hot Issues, he explained that holding a few people accountable would not stop the age-old practice.

“There’s no Member of Parliament today who can claim they have not had to engage in this practice during their primaries. It is widespread,” he said.

He admitted that political parties themselves are sometimes compelled to resort to such practices during internal elections because society has come to expect it.

“People literally tell you that if you don’t do this, they won’t vote. So, it is a society-wide issue that must be addressed from a broader perspective,” he explained.

Fifi Kwetey further noted that tackling vote-buying requires comprehensive reforms rather than taking punitive actions against a few individuals.

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“Simply scapegoating one or two people does not solve the problem. If we want to resolve it, we must pursue comprehensive solutions,” he said.

Addressing concerns about disciplinary action within the NDC, following the allegations of voting buying and voter inducement during the recent Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries, he stated that in the case of Baba Jamal, his appointment was terminated, and revealed that the party had recommended that other individuals holding government or board positions who participated in the primaries also be recalled.

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"The party recommended also that other people who took part in the primaries, who have government positions, whether on board or CEO positions, should also be recalled. So, the party has not actually allowed them to get away. Then the party now has been made a recommendation that we should have a seven-member committee that goes into a comprehensive political proposal as to how we can resolve the issue.

“What is worth doing is worth doing well. This problem has been with us for decades. If we are going to tackle it, we must do so properly,” he stressed.

Fifi Kwetey maintained that the party is focused on long-term reforms rather than public relations gestures.

"We have made a decision that we need to come to terms with this reality and stop it once and for all. So, even those of them who may not be happy about the fact that it's about to go, we need to appreciate it that the moment is here," he added.

The NDC has officially cleared Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed to represent the party in the Ayawaso East by-election slated for March 3, 2026.

The clearance follows the submission of a report by a three-member investigative committee tasked with probing allegations of vote buying during the party’s parliamentary primaries held on February 7, 2026.

Reports had circulated that items such as television sets, cash, and other incentives were allegedly distributed to delegates.

Watch the video below:

Every member in parliament has engaged in vote-buying. Scapegoating one or two individuals would not solve the issue, as it is a societal problem. - Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey (General Secretary, NDC)#HotIssues #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/4LBHaaD5Zg

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) February 15, 2026