Programmes Officer at the Centre for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD-Ghana), Vera Abena Addo, has called for a national conversation on campaign financing, warning that the growing influence of money in politics is undermining Ghana’s elections.

Speaking on Newsfile on JoyNews on Saturday, February 14, during a discussion on the Ayawaso East primaries and vote buying, Ms Addo said the country regulates many professions but has failed to apply the same standards to politicians.

“In fact, some say we regulate everything. Lawyers, bankers, pharmacists, and teachers have recently been regulated. Why are we not regulating politicians? Where is the source of money coming from?” she asked.

Ms Addo raised concerns about the ease with which some politicians are able to raise and distribute large sums of money during internal party contests and elections.

“If we cannot even stop them from giving out, can we look at how do people get so much money to distribute? It’s so easy for politicians to get the money to start distributing,” she said.

According to her, one of the key steps forward is transparency. “They should disclose their sources of funds. They should file reports and so on and so forth. So we have a very comprehensive law,” she said, suggesting that stronger enforcement and clearer rules are needed.

She warned that the current situation is affecting the quality of Ghana’s democracy.

“It affects the capability of our elections. Our elections are not free and fair. It means that a lot of young people cannot get in,” she said.

Citing research on the cost of running for office, Ms Addo questioned how ordinary citizens can compete.

“There’s research which shows that if you look at how much people are spending, how can you raise that to get in as a candidate to contest or to serve? And you have to pay,” she said.

She also acknowledged that the problem is not limited to politicians alone. “We also acknowledge the selling, so the demand and the supply side as well, which is equally critical now that we really need to look at it,” she added.

In her view, as long as incentives remain in place for candidates to distribute money, the cycle will continue. “If we do not remove the incentive, we keep on giving incentive for politicians to give out,” she said.

Ms Addo revealed that CDD-Ghana will soon begin community engagements aimed at changing public attitudes towards vote buying.

“In fact, from next week or two, we are starting some engagement to the communities,” she announced.

She said the aim is to help voters understand the long-term consequences of accepting money from candidates. “The people themselves to appreciate that, no, you can’t. If a politician, a candidate, gave you money and he comes in, he’ll take it back.”