CDD-Ghana warns capable candidates risk exclusion due to soaring campaign costs
Frederick Agyemang-Duah, Director of Programs and Operations at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development, CDD-Ghana, stated that the rising cost of participating in elections could exclude capable citizens from full participation in Ghana’s democratic process. According to him, financial requirements for potential candidates are increasing, while many of them lack the resources to compete effectively.
MyJoyOnline reports this. Agyemang-Duah spoke in Kumasi at a media seminar on regulating political party financing in Ghana. The event was organized by CDD-Ghana with the support of the British High Commission.
The impact of money on political participation
The CDD-Ghana representative stressed that money plays an important role in politics, but financial capacity should not replace integrity, commitment, and the ability to serve society. In his view, the growing influence of money could make political office accessible mainly to people with substantial financial resources.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Under such conditions, capable citizens, including young people, women, and persons with disabilities, may be pushed out of political participation, Agyemang-Duah believes. He also called for scrutiny of the origins of campaign funds and possible obligations between political actors and the individuals or organizations financing their activities.
Regulatory proposals
According to Agyemang-Duah, the consequences of unregulated political financing are not limited to election day. He urged the media not only to cover election results but also to investigate the sources of campaign funds, the individuals and organizations financing political activities, and whether such financiers benefit from the exercise of public power.
CDD-Ghana has prepared a draft model law on political financing intended to address gaps in the current system. The proposals concern campaign spending, political contributions, disclosure and reporting, election advertising, public funding, abuse of office by incumbents, and enforcement. The organization has already discussed these changes with political parties, civil society organizations, the private sector, students, youth groups, and other stakeholders.
