The NDC Deputy General Secretary says the party’s decision to openly confront allegations of vote-buying in its internal elections is itself a significant step, even as critics argue that no real consequences have followed.

Mustapha Gbande, speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, insisted that “the mere fact that we are here talking about it and seeking to bring an end to that menace in itself is an effort that is worth commending.”

His comments come after an NDC investigative committee was tasked to examine claims that aspirants offered inducements, including television sets and cash, to delegates during the party’s primary held on Saturday, February 7.

Gbande said the party believes its decision to take a “drastic position” on the matter marks a turning point and could influence political culture beyond the NDC.

“And so I’m sure that it will become part of that regulation going forward,” he said. “And so we actually thought that even by the mere statement that we took a drastic position on this matter, it’s enough. It hasn’t happened in the history of this country.”

He added that the NDC expects other political parties to respond with similar seriousness.

“What we then expect at this time is that other political parties will now rise from their slumber,” he said.

However, host Evans Mensah challenged the NDC’s position, arguing that despite the admission that vote-buying occurred, there appeared to be no meaningful punishment.

In response, Mr Gbande cited the reprimand of Baba Jamal, a senior government appointee and ambassador, describing it as a concrete action taken by President John Mahama.

“Baba Jamal, who is actually an appointee, the only government appointee, senior government appointee, an ambassador in that election, was reprimanded by President Mahama,” he said.

Mr Gbande said the decision was linked to a newly established code of conduct for government appointees.

“One, because the reset agenda accumulated into the establishment of a code of conduct, for the first time, that sets the conduct of all government appointees,” he said.

“The mere fact that this controversy had to do with his involvement was enough for the President to make a decision, and the President took that decision, and we are happy about that decision.”

When asked about the others implicated in the allegations, Mr Gbande said the conduct described to the party amounted to “inappropriate conduct,” but stressed the NDC does not have the authority to impose state-like sanctions.

“The description of what has transpired to us constituted inappropriate conduct,” he said. “But because it is not captured, we saw it as inappropriate.”

He argued that beyond reprimands, the party’s options are limited.

“Can you go beyond reprimand when the conduct is inappropriate? No, unless we want to assume the role of a state institution, which we don’t have that capacity,” he said.

Mustapha Gbande maintained that the NDC’s open engagement with the issue should not be dismissed, insisting that confronting vote-buying directly is a step worth recognising.

“But the mere fact that we are here talking about it and seeking to bring an end to that menace in itself is an effort that is worth commending,” he said.