Former President and NDC Presidential Candidate John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns over a viral video allegedly showing members of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) distributing cooking oil in an attempt to sway voters. Addressing the issue, Mahama called the act “worrying” and urged Ghanaians not to allow their votes to be bought by temporary incentives.

Speaking to supporters at a recent rally, Mahama advised voters to look beyond short-term gifts, warning that such handouts do not address the real needs of the people. “We are seeing videos circulating where the NPP is sharing cooking oil in markets. This is a worrying trend. Don’t allow them to buy your votes with these gifts,” he said, emphasizing that the future of the country’s development should not be compromised for personal or short-lived gain.

The former President also used the opportunity to stress the importance of choosing leaders based on their track record and genuine commitment to improving citizens' lives. He urged Ghanaians to carefully assess the policies and promises of each candidate, calling for informed decision-making in the 2024 elections.

This allegation of vote-buying adds to the rising tension in the lead-up to the elections, with calls from civil society for greater accountability and transparency.