Former Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka, has raised fresh concerns about the growing financial pressures on political leaders, arguing that money demands from constituents are a major driver of corruption within Ghana’s political system.
Avoka said continuous requests for money from the public have created a system where politicians feel forced to engage in corrupt practices simply to survive politically.
“Every day, Momo. Every day, MoMo. Somebody is sick in the hospital, you have to send money. Somebody is going to do a wedding, you have to send money,” he said in an interview with GHOne
He added that even during cultural events, the demands never stop. “They are going to do adore, they are asking for you. They are asking for school fees and whatnot.”
Avoka argued that these pressures contribute significantly to why some politicians lose internal primaries, not because of incompetence, but because they cannot meet the financial expectations of supporters.
“Many of us lose primaries and elections, not because we are not doing good work, but because you are not giving money out.”
He described the reality facing MPs who spend long hours in Parliament but are still expected to send money back home.
“How do you give the money out if you come and stay there for eight hours? You are debating for five hours or eight hours and close in the evening and go to sleep the following day, you have no money to send. You have to go out and look for the money.”
The reporter then interjected, “Like Mr. Babgin said, and that’s where the corruption starts.”
The former MP answered in the affirmative, “Yeah, that’s where the corruption starts. If I’m not corrupt, how can I maintain my seat? You have to be corrupt in one way or the other.”
