Vote-buying damages democracy and hurts voters – Chief Justice

Chief Justice *Paul Baffoe-Bonnie* has cautioned that vote-buying is a major danger to Ghana’s democracy, saying it undermines institutions and leaves citizens poorer in the long run.

Speaking at the launch of the *National Integrity Awards Scheme* on Monday, July 27, he said while honest politicians may lose elections, choosing integrity over corruption is more valuable.

“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.”

The Chief Justice stressed that public trust is what keeps institutions strong. He warned that corruption destroys that trust and damages confidence in governance and the courts.

“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 described the National Integrity Awards Scheme as a timely step to promote ethical conduct and strengthen accountability in leadership and public service.