By: Dominic Hlordzi
The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, GACC, Mrs. Beauty Emefa Narteh, has reiterated the need for state actors to rigorously ensure the enforcement of legislation on the source of funding for political parties’ activities.
This is to help check the monetisation, corruption and the expensive nature of partisan activities and promote accountability in the country.
She was speaking at the West Africa Democracy Radio, (WADR) Democracy and Governance Forum in Accra under the theme: “Strengthening Democratic Processes: Ghana’s Preparedness for Free, Fair and Transparent Elections” with funding from National Endowment for Democracy.
Delivering a presentation on “Safeguarding Elections: Integrity, Accountability, Civic Education and Preventing Electoral Violence”, Mrs. Narteh was concerned about the rise in the electioneering expenditure of persons who seek to become Members of Parliament and President of the country.
Quoting a report by CDD and WFD, she said the cost of running for Office as a Member of Parliament (MP) increased by 59% between 2012 and 2016.
It cost an average of GHC 389,803 ($85,000) in 2016 to secure a nomination in a party primary and compete in the parliamentary elections while
About $100 million is required for Presidential primary.
On vote buying, the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition stated that the practice is an afront to the country’s democracy.
She cited the 2022 UNODC and CHRAJ survey, where 10.3% of the adult population of Ghana reported that they were personally offered money or a favour in exchange for their vote during the 2020 general election.
Specifically, 5.3% were offered money and 5.1% were offered other goods or favours.
In recommending solutions to myriad of Ghana’s electioneering challenges, she said “there is a clear need for a strategy to safeguard the election and its outcomes.”
Mrs. Narteh suggested the followings:
1. The EC must improve transparency and accountability with all stakeholders.
2. The Inter-Party Advisory Committee, IPAC system must also be used to facilitate civic education and reduce potential incidences of violence in the sense that all stakeholders must adhere to whatever is agreed at IPAC meetings in order to communicate to voters and the general public that everyone is on board.
3. Amendment of PNDCL 284 to provide a shorter timeline for adjudicating parliamentary election petitions at the High Courts and Court of Appeals.
4.The NCCE should be resourced to enable them to intensify civic education on election violence and election fraud.
5. Enforcement of legislation on the source of funds for political parties’ activities.
6.Regulating campaign finance and
7. Robust Asset Declaration Regime.
In a welcome remark, the Manager of WADR, Mrs. Agnes E. John-Thomasi said the organization has been championing the production and dissemination of comprehensive quality information on voter rights in elections and providing platforms for elections and democratic actors to engage to help contribute to creating and enhancing awareness of democratic tenets and processes with the aim of building a culture of democracy, peace and well informed citizenship in the West African subregion.
She explained that the project is focusing on three countries that will be organising elections in 2024 and 2025.
She said WADR believes that an increased civic education in the selected countries (Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea Bissau) will contribute to an enhanced awareness among the populations of these countries for improved civic engagement.
She stated that the West Africa Democracy Radio which is a bi-lingual broadcaster in the region with a team of journalists, a network of correspondents covering thirteen countries plays a vital role in promoting democracy in West Africa.
Mrs. John-Thomasi further indicated that the Democracy and Governance Forum/Public Debate is to create a platform for a deeper reflection on the situation of democracy with particular focus on free, fair and transparent elections while sharing strategic ideas on upholding of democratic principles and empowering citizens to make informed decisions.
A Board Member of WADR, Dr. Audrey Gadzekpo said the media gives life to democracy, stating that, the media should recognize the pivotal role they play in elections and endeavour to live up to their watchdog roles.
She encouraged journalists to scrutinise the policies of the candidates and expose election irregularities and ensure that the right things are done.
“We have to be mindful of the role of social media. Let us not use social media as a tool to undermine democracy. We should avoid disinformation and misinformation” She cautioned.
Dr. Gadzekpo told the participants that democracy is a long journey and elections are not the only way of demonstrating democratic achievements but a free, smooth, fair elections are essential in any democracy.
