Assin North by-election: NDC and NPP trade accusations of vote-buying

In the heat of the Assin-North by-election scheduled for Tuesday, June 27, 2023, the two leading parties have hurled accusations at each other for influencing voters in the constituency.

The parties alleged the gifting of items including fertilizers, knapsack sprayers, motorcycles, and cash, among other items.

National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of engaging in vote-buying.

He took to Facebook on Wednesday to accuse the ruling party of purchasing votes by offering fertilizers and state-owned knapsack sprayers to voters. His allegation was amplified by some supporters of his party on social media.

“Corrupt NPP government desperately seeking to buy votes in Assin North with state-owned knapsack sprayers and fertilizers. Consignment currently en route to Ningo, Gangan, Ayittey, and other NDC strongholds”, Sammy Gyamfi alleged.

In a counterpost, the Communications Director of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah, argued in a Twitter post that the NDC was rather giving handouts to some constituents in a bid to influence them.

Here is one of the sharing depots of the National Democratic Congress. Now, watch them deny and point false accusing fingers at others after doing this. The NPP is focused and canvassing for the votes we need for victory on June 27th. Believe it...#Ghana #JoySMS #JoyNews… pic.twitter.com/3cxY9lBZha
— Richard Ahiagbah (@RAahiagbah) June 21, 2023

Leading officials of the parties, including Former President and flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama, and NPP National Chairman, Stephen Ayesu-Ntim, are in the constituency for the final rounds of campaigning.

As a swing constituency for the two parties since 2000, the Assin-North by-election is expected to be fiercely contested.

NPP candidate Charles Opoku will be seeking to unseat NDC candidate James Gyakye Quayson, who has resolved to continue his reign as MP.

Mr. Quayson, who is presently undergoing court proceedings, was given relief by the court on Wednesday, June 21, to be present in the constituency to contest the election.