The Ashanti Regional Council of State election has been marred by serious allegations of vote buying, with claims that large sums of money were distributed to delegates by key contenders and their sponsors.
Former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, emerged victorious with 49 votes, defeating his main rival, Nana Nkansah Boadu Ayeboafo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who secured 35 votes.
The election, held at the Kumasi Prempeh Assembly Hall on Monday, February 17, 2025, was a rerun after the initial vote on February 11 ended in chaos.
Reports indicate that both leading candidates allegedly engaged in heavy financial inducements to sway delegates.
Sources claim that during the first round, Nana Nkansah Boadu Ayeboafo offered GH₵40,000 per delegate, while Yaw Owusu Obimpeh provided GH₵20,000 per delegate.
By the second round, the stakes were raised, with Ayeboafo allegedly increasing his payments to GH₵50,000 per delegate, targeting approximately 55 delegates.
In response, Obimpeh, backed by candidates who had quietly withdrawn from the race, reportedly matched or exceeded that amount for at least 50 delegates.
Additionally, Madam Rose Hamilton, Chief Executive of Crystal Rose Ambassador Hotel in Kumasi, is said to have distributed over GH₵20,000 per delegate, while Nana Amakye Balehene allegedly contributed GH₵5,000 per delegate during the first round.
An assembly member who spoke to www.kumasimail.com on condition of anonymity revealed that he personally made GH₵125,000 from the election.
He stated that he intended to share half of the money with other assembly members in his district, including the presiding member.
Security and Arrests
To prevent a repeat of the February 11 disturbances allegedly caused by NDC-affiliated thugs from Obuasi tight security measures were enforced.
Only accredited delegates, Electoral Commission (EC) officials, candidates’ agents, and the media were allowed entry.
NPP Presidential candidate hopeful Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, fomer Education minister who doubles as member of Parliament for Bosomtwe Constituency, Former minister for roads and transport Francis Asenso Boakye and Prof. Kingsley Nyarko who wanted to observe the election were equally denied entry by the police.
Despite these precautions, at least four NDC supporters were arrested for attempting to cause chaos outside the venue.
Impact on Electoral Integrity
The widespread allegations of vote buying have cast a shadow over the credibility of the election, raising concerns about the influence of money in Ghanaian politics.
With such financial incentives reportedly shaping the outcome, questions remain about whether the Council of State elections truly reflect the will of the people or merely the highest bidder.
Yaw Owusu Obimpeh now assumes his role as Ashanti Region’s representative on the Council of State, but the controversy surrounding the election process is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
