The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has engaged key stakeholders in the Western Region to solicit input on a proposed legislation aimed at curbing the monetisation of Ghana’s political landscape.
The Draft Model Bill on Political Finance in Ghana seeks to address the growing influence of money in the country’s electoral and political processes by introducing clearer regulatory measures and accountability mechanisms.
The engagement, held in Takoradi, forms part of a nationwide consultation series being organised in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It aimed to promote public understanding of the proposed legislation, highlight its key provisions, and gather citizens’ feedback to refine the bill.
The programme brought together citizens, political actors, civil society organisations, youth groups, and representatives of regulatory institutions to examine the draft’s content, implications, and enforcement mechanisms.
Mr. Joseph Oti Frimpong, Programmes Officer at CDD-Ghana, said that although Ghana’s democracy is regarded as one of the strongest in Africa, significant challenges persist in its practice.
“One of the major problems is the monetisation of the political landscape and the absence of a comprehensive legal framework to regulate political party financing in Ghana,” he stated.
He explained that the draft bill was developed to bridge gaps in existing legal frameworks, including the absence of spending limits for political parties, the lack of caps on contributions, and limited regulation of candidates’ campaign financing.
According to Mr. Frimpong, feedback gathered from the regional engagements would be compiled and fine-tuned before submission to the Attorney-General to support the development of a comprehensive political party financing law aligned with international best practice.
Mr. Victor Brobbey, Deputy Chairperson in charge of General Services at the NCCE, described vote-buying and the corrupting influence of money as worrying features of Ghana’s electoral culture.
“Silence, indifference and social acceptance have allowed these practices to persist, even when many Ghanaians privately condemn them,” he noted.
He warned that when politics becomes transactional, public office risks being treated as an investment that must generate returns, undermining genuine public service and accountability.
“The NCCE strongly supports the initiative by CDD-Ghana. Reforms of this magnitude cannot rest on institutions alone; an informed and engaged citizenry is its strongest foundation,” Mr. Brobbey added.
He urged citizens to reject inducements, demand substance over patronage, and hold leaders accountable beyond election periods to promote shared prosperity.
Participants at the forum took turns to share their views and suggestions on the draft bill as part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s democratic governance framework.
Source: GNA
