Alarming statistics concerning the cost of winning elections in Ghana have been highlighted in recent research by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), which raises significant questions about the future of democratic administration and the fight against corruption in the nation.
The study claims that it now costs an estimated $150 million and an extra 10 million Ghanaian cedis to win both the presidential and legislative elections.
The paper blames this high expense on the growing electoral process, which it cautions is strengthening corruption and undermining accountability in public administration.
In a presentation before the Constitutional Review Committee, Dr. Kojo Asante, Director of Programs at CDD-Ghana, voiced his anxiety over the state of affairs.
“As this emphasis on public welfare also drives development, we must begin electing leaders with integrity and orienting them towards the public interest,” he stated.
Political parties cannot be allowed to control their internal operations on their own, Dr. Asante stressed.
Candidates who violate regulations must be disqualified, and those vying for office must be required to declare their assets. The supervision of political parties themselves is another issue that must be addressed, as it eventually goes to the Electoral Commission,” he continued.
He said these things during a presentation at a Constitutional Review Committee meeting over the weekend.
