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A founder member of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, has cautioned that if not checked, the strategy of vote buying, intimidation and violence will help entrench poverty and underdevelopment in the country.

Dr Nduom, who said he was at Talensi to support his party, alleged that money was used to influence voters, adding: “What has happened in Talensi is something to be ashamed about.”

Writing on his Facebook on Tuesday night, he questioned where the “tons” of money came from, saying: “Is my tax money in there?”
He said whereas the PPP tried to sell ideas and engage with the people on critical issues such as education, health care and jobs, some political parties adopted a strategy of violence and intimidation, which he said was calculated to ensure that “the party that succeeds in showing more muscle gets the vote.”

Dr Nduom criticised the NDC for what he said was a last minute scramble to bring some form of development to Talensi in order to secure votes.

“Must it take an election for government to put up streetlights, tar a few yards of road and dress up others?” he said.

He, therefore, condemned parties for engaging in “politics of stealing, bribery, and violence” ahead of Tuesday’s by-election in Talensi.

“If we let this Talensi situation become the norm, what will be the point? Politics of stealing, bribery, violence will lead to more poverty and despair in a nation with no excuse not to be prosperous,” he stated.