Introduction
The rising expense of political campaigns in Ghana has drawn considerable attention in recent times. Hassan Ayariga, founder and flagbearer of the All People's Congress (APC), has expressed concerns about the rising costs of conducting political campaigns in Ghana, which highlights an urgent matter that is changing Ghana's political environment.
Mr. Ayariga has criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for imposing excessive financial demands on political candidates, significantly raising the costs of running for office. He argued that these inflated expenses create barriers for many potential candidates, limiting democratic participation in Ghana by making it difficult for diverse voices to compete. He highlighted that a single day of campaign activities can cost between GH¢100,000 and GH¢300,000, including T-shirts, car rentals, and fuel expenses.
Cost of running political campaigns in Ghana
Since Ghana's return to multiparty democracy in 1992, the cost of running for political office has surged, rising to 59% between 2012 and 2016. On average, candidates needed about GH₵389,803 (US$85,000) to compete in Parliamentary elections. This rising cost risks limiting politics to the wealthy, shifting MPs' focus from public service to recouping their investments.
A study of over 250 candidates and MPs revealed that the costs for campaigns, party workers, media, and donations are exceptionally high, with male candidates typically spending more than their female counterparts. Most political funding is sourced from personal income, raising corruption risks and excluding women and youth from political participation.
This financial burden fosters widespread disillusionment with the political process, as it prioritizes financial capacity over competence. Most funding comes from personal income, increasing corruption risks and exclusion of women and youth, fostering disillusionment with politics. (Report by CDD & Westminster Foundation for Democracy, The Cost Of Politics In Ghana)
These high costs have serious implications on the politics of the country as it limit political participation, especially for individuals from less affluent backgrounds, narrowing the pool of candidates to those who can afford such expenses.
This financial barrier not only excludes many potential candidates but also risks silencing diverse voices that could offer innovative solutions and fresh perspectives on national issues. As a result, the political landscape may lack the variety of insights needed for effective governance.
Impact on Democracy
The escalating costs of political campaigns pose a significant threat to the democratic process itself. As campaign expenses soar, financial considerations often overshadow the value of ideas and public service. This shift can lead to a focus on catering to wealthy sponsors and donors who can afford to fund campaigns, rather than prioritizing the needs and interests of ordinary citizens. Such a shift undermines the principle of equal representation, potentially leading to a loss of public trust in the political system.
Elections in emerging democracies often face challenges from vote buying, or electoral clientelism, which undermines democratic consolidation. While existing literature covers vote buying, recent trends, particularly campus politics, have not been fully explored.
This situation has laid an erroneous precedent and gradually seeped into student politics. A Research article titled, Campus Politics and Intra-Party Vote Buying in Ghana: How Political Mentorship Could Destruct by Sebastian Angzoorokuu Paalo & Ransford Edward Van Gyampo, revealed that in Ghana, vote buying in intra-party elections has become more sophisticated and prevalent, partly due to influences from student politics in tertiary institutions.
Further, despite improvements in voter education and a growing middle class, vote buying persists, with major parties like the NPP and NDC frequently involved. Notions of vote buying are variously captured in the burgeoning literature on democracy, but the ongoing scholarly discussions have failed to engage some growing contemporary trends that also contribute significantly to sustaining the culture of vote buying in intra-party, local and national elections.
When only those with substantial financial resources can effectively compete, the integrity of democratic institutions is compromised, and the political landscape may become less reflective of the diverse views and needs of the broader population.
Way Forward
As part of our advocacy drive, CDS Africa calls for enhanced enforcement of laws against electoral malpractices like vote buying. There is a need for increased transparency and accountability in elections. Political parties must disclose campaign funding and expenditures.
Voter education campaigns are also crucial to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of vote buying and strengthen resistance to electoral manipulation. Additionally, CDS Africa proposes a robust monitoring system to detect and expose vote purchasing, recommending legal action and publicizing offenders to safeguard Ghana's democratic processes and promote sustainable development.
To enhance the integrity of Ghana's elections, a national dialogue among political parties, electoral bodies, and civil society is essential to discuss the influence of money in politics and regulatory expectations. Reviving discussions on state funding for parties and addressing the impact of financial demands on MPs are also crucial.
Systemic adjustments are also crucial to reducing the high cost of political campaigns and enhancing accessibility to political involvement. One approach is to reform campaign finance regulations to improve transparency and limit spending. Additionally, promoting or funding candidates from diverse backgrounds with public funds can help level the playing field.
Conclusion
The escalating costs of campaigning in Ghana are a significant issue that demands urgent attention. As highlighted by Hassan Ayariga, the current financial demands are unsustainable and favor wealthy candidates, undermining democratic representation. Addressing these issues is essential to creating a more equitable and representative democratic system in Ghana.
Write a Comment