The Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has called for urgent reforms to Ghana’s Political Parties Act, urging that political parties be legally empowered to own and operate businesses to achieve true financial autonomy.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on June 24, Mr Mohammed underscored the critical need to overhaul the outdated political financing framework that currently restricts parties’ funding options.

He stressed that the existing laws no longer reflect today’s political realities and must be amended.

“The laws governing our political environment have been outdated. What we need to do is to amend the Political Parties Act to allow political parties to do business,” he asserted.

Highlighting the benefits of such a reform, Mr Mohammed explained that allowing parties to engage in lawful business activities would provide sustainable revenue streams vital for their survival and effective functioning.

“When political parties are allowed to do business and own businesses, they will be able to earn certain kinds of money that can shore up their balance sheets and support political activity,” he explained.

He warned against the perpetual reliance on government funding and external donations, which continue to hamper the financial independence of political parties.

“We can’t continue going around in circles looking for ways in which the government should provide funding. We have had this debate several times, and I think it is time we re-examine the Political Parties Act,” he urged.

Mr Mohammed called for immediate legislative action to grant political parties the authority to conduct lawful commercial ventures, ensuring their financial sustainability and strengthening Ghana’s democracy.

“The amendment will give power and authority to political parties to do lawful businesses that can support the running of political parties in Ghana,” he said.