Accra: An aspiring Deputy General Secretary of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Anthony Kwame Nukpenu, has revealed that candidates seeking elective positions in the party's Greater Accra Region need at least GHS3.5 million to run their campaigns. He emphasized that the increasing monetization of internal party elections is a significant threat to Ghana's democratic process and needs urgent attention to ensure competent leadership.
According to Ghana Web, Nukpenu expressed his concerns during an interview on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM. He welcomed the recent Supreme Court ruling that abolished the delegates system in favor of a universal voting structure, allowing all registered party members in good standing to vote in presidential and parliamentary primaries. However, Nukpenu argued that more time should have been allotted for political parties to prepare for the new system's implementation.
Nukpenu stated that the directive from the Supreme Court is a positive step toward addressing issues such as inducements, monetization, and vote-buying. He highlighted that contesting in the Greater Accra Region's internal party elections requires significant financial investment, which does not necessarily assure victory.
The NDC aspirant criticized the increasing trend of distributing expensive items to sway voters during internal elections, calling it damaging to Ghana's democracy. He warned that excessive campaign spending and vote-buying could allow individuals with questionable sources of wealth to gain political power.
Nukpenu called for political parties to enhance their grassroots structures and intensify political education to ensure members understand their responsibilities under the new electoral arrangement. He emphasized the need for political parties to build a solid base of loyal, dedicated, and committed members who understand their roles.