Growing monetisation of Ghanaian politics weakens democratic institutions – Sarpong

George Sarpong, a private legal practitioner, has expressed concerns about the increasing monetization of Ghanaian politics, which he believes could undermine democratic institutions and allow wealthy individuals with questionable motives to gain control over the state. At a workshop organized by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Sarpong emphasized that the political system should prioritize individuals with strong ideas, character, and a dedication to public service, rather than allowing those with significant financial resources to dominate the political landscape.

The workshop was part of CDD-Ghana's efforts to promote public support for a Draft Model Political Finance Law aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in political financing. Sarpong urged journalists to scrutinize the financial backers of political candidates and parties, emphasizing the importance of understanding who is funding these entities, the amount of money involved, and the potential influence that financial support might exert on the political process.

He warned that individuals whose wealth stems from activities detrimental to the public good could potentially wield influence over the very institutions tasked with regulating their actions, thereby eroding the state's capacity to enforce laws in the public interest. Sarpong proposed the introduction of public financing for political parties to mitigate the influence of wealthy individuals, describing them as "political oligarchs."

However, he acknowledged that such a system would necessitate agreement among political parties and other stakeholders regarding what constitutes legitimate campaign expenditure and the necessary funding level to ensure competitive campaigns. Sarpong expressed optimism regarding the potential for political parties to agree on reforms to Ghana’s political finance system, noting the participation of representatives and senior members from various political backgrounds in discussions surrounding the proposed model law.

The workshop aimed to foster public awareness about Ghana’s political financing system, identify weaknesses in the existing regulatory framework, and discuss measures to bolster transparency, accountability, and fairness in the financing of political parties and election campaigns.