Sunyani: Mr Kwadwo Mensah, a 54-year-old businessman in Sunyani, expresses his frustration with the prevalent practice of vote-buying in Ghanaian elections. He has witnessed the distribution of money and gifts by politicians during election periods, only for these relationships to dissolve post-elections. This growing concern among citizens highlights the increasing influence of money in politics, threatening electoral fairness and democratic accountability.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) is pushing for reforms through a proposed Draft Model Political Financing Bill. This legislation aims to fill gaps in the current regulatory framework and enhance oversight of political financing. Mr Frederick Adu-Gyamfi, CDD-Ghana's Director of Programmes and Operations, emphasizes that the bill seeks to regulate political party funding and improve transparency in campaign finance.
At a stakeholder workshop in Sunyani, Mr Adu-Gyamfi outlined key provisions of the bill, such as creating an independent regulatory body for political financing oversight, defining campaign periods to reduce costly electioneering, and setting spending limits. The bill also requires mandatory disclosure of funding sources and regular financial reporting by political parties and candidates. Mr Adu-Gyamfi believes these reforms are crucial for strengthening Ghana's democracy and public confidence in elections.
The excessive campaign spending and vote-buying practices often marginalize women, young people, and persons with disabilities from political participation. Mr Adu-Gyamfi warns that financial power could overshadow merit in elections, leading to public office going to the highest bidder. Additionally, politicians may inflate public contracts to repay campaign financiers, resulting in wasteful spending and stalled development projects.
Since the adoption of the Fourth Republican Constitution in 1992, Ghana has been recognized as a stable democracy, yet political finance regulation has lagged. Ms Cynthia Anima Boadu, Bono Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), notes that political campaigns have become costly and opaque, favoring financially endowed candidates. She highlights the rising expenses in media advertisements, rallies, and logistics as contributing factors.
Ms Boadu cites a 2018 study by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and CDD-Ghana, which found a 59 percent increase in the cost of contesting parliamentary elections from 2012 to 2016, with candidates spending an average of GHS 389,803 (about US$85,000). A 2020 follow-up study by CDD-Ghana, supported by Adam Smith International, revealed that average costs surged to approximately GHS 4 million, with significant portions of campaign funding coming from undisclosed or illicit sources.
While the 1992 Constitution and the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574) provide a regulatory basis, experts like Mr Adu-Gyamfi argue that existing frameworks inadequately address individual candidate financing. Current regulations require political parties to submit annual accounts and campaign expenditure reports, but weak enforcement allows for unchecked spending and hidden funding sources.
Despite calls for reform, public skepticism persists about the effectiveness of new laws without strong enforcement. Mr Raphael Cubbage, an Assembly Member, warns against reforms becoming superficial without proper implementation. Mrs Evelyn Opoku Tawiah, a banker, advocates for increased public awareness and civic education to highlight the long-term impact of vote-buying.
Experts suggest that with strict enforcement, a robust regulatory framework could reduce elite control over political parties, encourage broader participation, and strengthen trust in democratic institutions. However, resistance from political actors benefiting from the current system may hinder reform efforts. Establishing a well-resourced independent regulatory body, as proposed, will require funding, safeguards, and bipartisan support.
The CDD-Ghana Draft Model Political Financing Bill offers a potential solution to reducing money's corrosive influence in Ghanaian politics. Its success depends on lawmakers' political will, civil society vigilance, and citizen engagement. Voters like Mr Mensah hope for elections driven by ideas, integrity, and leadership, rather than financial power.