The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has revealed that the expense associated with winning a presidential election in Ghana has escalated to approximately $200 million, raising alarms regarding the sustainability and inclusiveness of the nation’s democratic framework.
During an Open Society event held in Accra, Professor H. Kwasi Prempeh, the Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, warned that the increasing financial demands of elections could exclude competent leaders who lack access to substantial resources.
“I believe that around $200 million is necessary to secure victory in a presidential election. How many of you present here will ever belong to that category or group of candidates? Even at the parliamentary or primary levels, it is almost unfeasible for many of you,” Prof. Prempeh remarked.
He further cautioned that such developments threaten Ghana’s democratic and developmental goals, emphasizing that politics risks becoming the domain of the affluent and well-connected.
“We cannot maintain that type of democracy and anticipate it to be developmental. Therefore, we must be concerned about our campaign financing and the regulation of our internal party democracy,” he emphasized.
CDD-Ghana’s appeal contributes to the ongoing discussions regarding campaign financing reforms in Ghana, with civil society organizations advocating for more robust regulations to promote fairness, accountability, and inclusivity within the political landscape.
