The latest study by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) says funding for campaigns of Ghana’s political parties are less than one percent of dues from its members.
In the view of the survey, nine financiers were found to be involved in illicit and Serious and Organized Crime (SOC) related activities including Illegal mining, (galamsey) illegal Oil Bunkering and alleged fraudulent business.
The study further revealed that ten of the financiers are engaged in the procurement of works (construction of roads and buildings) and three of the major financiers are Chiefs in the Eastern region
The results of the study dated February 2, 2021 released by the CDD stated: “less than 1% of funding for campaign (political) activity originated from membership dues/subscriptions due to irregular payments. This, however, contradicts to the nearly 50% income the two parties have reported in the returns and audited statements submitted to the EC.”
It further revealed that the biggest contributions come from special interests, particularly businesspeople who support the party and candidates at several levels in return for contracts, contacts, positions, and protection of businesses from governmental interference or clampdown.
“Cash amounts donated by special interests and business financiers in support of the candidature of a president candidate ranged from GHC 40,000 to GHC 11.5 million ($2 million)” the study noted.
The survey disclosed that other funding sources include voluntary contributions from party members and sympathisers; donations from “Kingmakers” in the party; funds from short codes, donations via mobile money codes established with Telcos for direct deduction of airtime and or donations from users accounts; donations from wealthy individuals not affiliated to the party; funds from fundraising activities in Ghana and overseas; funds from foreign donors, administrations, and businesses – which are breaches of the prohibition against noncitizens funding a political party or candidates.
For candidates running for office as MP, the study found that the bulk of their funding comes from their personal savings and loans.
While the sources of financing an aspirant’s campaign remained unchanged, at least 8 in 10 of the former aspirants and current MPs told the researchers during the fieldwork and validation sessions that they were increasingly falling into debt from the high cost of financing their campaigns before and during the election.”
CDD however, recommended among others that the Political Parties Act must be amended to include prohibition of funding with illicit sources while Donations must be tax deductible to encourage transparency in donation.
It again opined that campaign period must be defined as a way of reducing the rising cost of politics with the EC and political parties adopting a formula to determine the rate of increment in filling fees.
Source: Kofi Yirenkyi
