The Deputy National Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Mustapha Gbande, has accused the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) of allegedly engaging in vote-buying by distributing marijuana to the youth in the Ejisu Constituency of the Ashanti Region.

Speaking at a mini-rally in Ejisu on Thursday, August 29, 2024, Mr Gbande claimed that the NPP targeted known marijuana users at various illegal smoking spots in the area during the recent Ejisu by-elections.

"During the Ejisu by-elections, the NPP was busy promoting illegal activities in this constituency," he stated. "Instead of highlighting their achievements or creating jobs, they resorted to the shameful act of supplying weed to the youth, hoping to secure their votes. That’s how desperate they were."

Mr Gbande further criticized the alleged tactics of the NPP, describing them as unprecedented in the history of Ghanaian politics.

"In every election year, political parties campaign with their records, but on the other hand, the NPP is campaigning with weed. This is unprecedented," he said.

He called on parents in the constituency to reject the NPP at the polls, accusing the party of encouraging marijuana use among the youth by providing them with the substance. Mr Gbande urged voters to consider the impact of such actions on their children and the future of the community.