Kwadwo Poku, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team, says alleged inducement-related offences should primarily be investigated by the police, arguing that such matters constitute criminal acts under existing laws.
Speaking on GHToday with Lily Mohammed on Monday, February 9, 2026, Poku said individuals seeking clarity on the legal framework could pursue interpretation from the courts, including the Supreme Court.
He explained that inducement falls under criminal offences and therefore the police are well placed to lead investigations where sufficient evidence exists. “If the police feel that there’s enough evidence available to them… the police can arrest those people involved and start an investigation,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has powers under relevant laws to investigate certain matters, Poku expressed concerns about what he described as a possible overreach of its mandate. “OSP, I have a problem, because I think the law is over-stretching its mandate,” he said, suggesting that the courts could be approached for clarification.
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Poku also warned against politicising inducement issues, describing the practice as a persistent challenge within Ghana’s political system. He said interactions with parliamentarians revealed growing frustration over the increasing financial demands associated with political activity.
“All the community wants and all delegates want is to take, take, take, take, and it’s a problem,” he said.
He further raised concerns about individuals publicly admitting to receiving inducements, noting that some may be unaware that both the giver and receiver could be committing offences under the law. “That tells you that they don’t know that the receiver is also committing a crime,” Poku said, calling for intensified civic education to improve public understanding of electoral laws.
According to him, increased awareness would discourage individuals from openly justifying actions that could constitute offences, particularly when such admissions are widely shared on social media platforms.
The following comments by Kwadwo Poku relate to allegations of inducement during the Ayawaso East NPP Primaries.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Barbara Yeboah
