High Cost Of Politics Threatens Ghana’s Democracy – Experts Warn

Experts have expressed concern that the rising costs of politics in Ghana are jeopardizing the country's democracy. Mr. George Sarpong, a private legal practitioner, has called on the media to go beyond reporting on political parties' public activities and investigate the financial interests behind elections. According to Mr. Sarpong, the monopolisation of Ghana's politics by wealthy individuals with dubious motives risks compromising democratic institutions and allowing those with the greatest financial resources to exert undue influence over state institutions.

The alarming increase in campaign costs has been documented by Mr. William Nyarko, Executive Director of the Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability. He revealed that the expense of running for the NPP's 2028 presidential nomination has skyrocketed to GH¢4.6 million, a price tag that is far higher than in previous elections.

This sharp rise in political financing costs can be attributed to factors such as vote buying and the delegate system, which create additional financial burdens for candidates and political parties alike.

To address these concerns, the participants at a workshop organised by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) have proposed a four-pillar Model Political Finance Law. This law would mandate the disclosure of funding sources and limit the influence of any single donor to no more than five per cent of a party's total campaign funds.

Additionally, the state would be responsible for funding internal party primaries, reducing the financial strain on political entities. Strict sanctions would also be applied to the misuse of public resources for partisan campaigns. If implemented, these reforms could help prevent Ghana's democratic process from becoming a contest for wealth rather than one based on ideas, integrity, and a commitment to public service.