Vote-buying leaves citizens poorer and weakens democracy – Chief Justice
Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has warned that vote-buying may deliver political victories but comes at a high cost to Ghana’s democracy and the welfare of its citizens.
Addressing the launch of the National Integrity Awards Scheme, he said politicians must prioritize integrity over electoral success, arguing that corruption ultimately harms the people it seeks to influence.
“The honest politician may lose an election, but vote-buying weakens democracy and ultimately impoverishes the very people whose votes we purchased. The cost of integrity is often paid by the individual; the cost of corruption is paid by all of us; that is why integrity remains indispensable. No nation has ever succeeded by rewarding dishonesty indefinitely,” he said.
The Chief Justice also stressed that public trust is the foundation of strong institutions, warning that corruption gradually erodes confidence in governance and the justice system.
“Sooner or later, every society discovers that trust is its greatest currency. Once trust disappears, institutions begin to weaken, contracts lose meaning, public confidence erodes, justice itself becomes suspect. As Chief Justice, I know that the judiciary depends on one thing above all else: not buildings, not budgets, not even judgements; it depends on public confidence,” he stated.
He called on public officials, political leaders and citizens to uphold integrity, saying ethical conduct remains essential to protecting democratic institutions and maintaining public confidence.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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