Transparency International Ghana has stated that expanding the delegate base within political parties is a positive step but will not entirely eliminate vote-buying. Mary Awelana Addah, the Executive Director, welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling on the delegate system. She cautioned that this reform alone cannot fully cure the problem of money politics in Ghana.
Ms. Addah explained that Ghana's democracy has become increasingly susceptible to financial influence since 1993. This vulnerability makes reforms to the delegate system necessary. She noted that the practice has evolved into what she calls "vote-selling." Citizens now seek direct benefits from politicians due to perceived lack of development.
This issue fits into a broader trend of increasing political financing concerns in Ghana. The cost of contesting elections has risen significantly. Research by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) shows the substantial financial requirements for presidential primary campaigns. This creates an environment ripe for corruption and the display of wealth by candidates.
"Since we started this experiment in 1993, we have seen incrementally that the democracy we are practising has become for sale to the highest bidder," Ms. Addah stated on JoyNews' Newsfile on August 1. She added that Transparency International Ghana has consistently advocated for vote-buying to be treated as a criminal offence. This aligns with international anti-corruption agreements like the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
The expansion of the delegate base makes it more difficult for individuals to engage in vote-buying. For example, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) increased its delegates from 1,998 in 1992 to over 211,000 by 2026. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) also saw its delegate numbers grow from 1,673 in 2008 to more than 350,000 by 2023. These increases promote broader participation and dilute the impact of individual financial inducements.
Ms. Addah highlighted Ghana's support for a United Nations resolution aimed at strengthening measures against corruption in political financing. Ghana joined over 60 countries in backing this resolution in December. This international effort recognizes that campaign financing has become expensive globally. Many existing legal frameworks are inadequate to address it effectively.
Despite these efforts, Ms. Addah does not support the idea of the state fully funding political parties. She believes that while reforms are crucial, complete state funding is not the answer. The focus remains on criminalizing vote-buying and strengthening existing regulations.
The implications are that while the Supreme Court's ruling is a positive step, policymakers must implement further measures. These include stricter enforcement of anti-corruption laws and continued public education. The fight against money politics requires a multi-faceted approach beyond just expanding the electoral college. Decision-makers will need to address the root causes of vote-selling, such as lack of development benefits for citizens.