The National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) has cautioned politicians against the practice of monetizing politics, describing such actions as potentially criminal under Ghanaian law.

Victor Brobbey, Deputy Vice Chairman of the NCCE, issued this warning during an interview on Masters of the Game, hosted by Kwesi Kyei Darkwah (KKD) on Accra-based CTV on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.

Mr Brobbey highlighted that political practices involving monetary incentives to influence voting decisions could amount to "treating" and "inciting" under Ghanaian electoral laws—both of which are criminal offences.

“These practices undermine the integrity of elections and democracy,” he stressed, adding that while economic hardship has made some voters vulnerable to these tactics, such actions are damaging to the nation’s democratic principles.

Despite these concerns, Mr Brobbey revealed that recent surveys show only 10 percent of Ghanaians admit to being swayed by monetary incentives during elections.

He commended this figure as a sign of growing resilience among the electorate but emphasized that the practice remains problematic.

Mr Brobbey urged Ghanaians to prioritize candidates whose policies align with their aspirations rather than succumbing to monetary influence.

“Don’t look for a perfect candidate,” he advised. “Instead, vote for someone who represents your views, works for the public good, and not for personal interest.”

The Deputy Chair also encouraged citizens to reflect on candidates’ commitments to policies that benefit the greater public and reject those who exploit economic challenges to manipulate votes.

As the country heads into the 2024 General Elections, the NCCE called on both politicians and voters to uphold democratic values, emphasizing that the integrity of Ghana’s elections is a shared responsibility.