Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, has rejected suggestions that vote buying played a role in the Akwatia by-election held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, September 3, Mr. Dankwah insisted that the outcome reflected the true will of the electorate.
When host Caleb Kudah asked if money could have influenced the polls, he responded firmly: “Absolutely not.”
He explained that research by his organisation has consistently shown that only a small percentage of Ghanaian voters are open to exchanging their votes for cash.
“We have conducted elections in this country, and we have measured the proportion of people who are likely to take money for a vote in this country. The number was 7%, so if you are investing GH₵10 million to buy a vote, you are only going to get 7% in return,” he said.
According to him, this makes the practice not only unsustainable but also ineffective as a political tool.
“It simply doesn’t work. The data shows that propaganda, money, or intimidation cannot win elections in Ghana today. What works is science, research, and understanding the voter,” Mr. Dankwah emphasised.
