Delegate system turned party primaries into an auction for highest bidder – Asiedu Nketia

General Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized the delegates system of political party primaries for allowing money to dominate elections. In an interview on Accra-based Onua TV, the General accused the system of corrupting representative democracy. He explained that while representative democracy reduces the number of individuals involved directly in elections, it has been undermined by delegates prioritizing personal benefits over their constituents' interests.

The General argued that instead of genuinely representing their constituents' desires, some delegates decide based on what they expect to gain from candidates. This has turned party elections into a competition where financial strength determines the outcome, rather than a candidate's competence, experience, or commitment to public service.

The National Chairman claimed that this had transformed election contests into auctions, where the highest bidder wins. He emphasized that reforming the system is crucial to creating a more credible electoral process that gives qualified candidates a fair opportunity to emerge.