TI-Ghana And CDD-Ghana Renew Calls For Political Finance Reform

Transparency International-Ghana (TI-Ghana) and the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) have renewed their call for comprehensive political finance reforms in Ghana, highlighting the link between unregulated campaign financing and rising corruption.

At a multi-stakeholder forum held in Accra on June 27, the two leading civil society organisations stressed the urgent need for a new Political Party Financing Law to improve transparency, curb illicit campaign funding, and expand political participation for marginalised groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

TI-Ghana and CDD-Ghana revealed that the cost of running for Parliament is now estimated at GHS 4 million, while presidential campaigns cost as much as US$100 million—a situation they say fuels corruption, undermines democracy, and blocks equal participation.

Among the key reforms proposed are:

• Defined campaign periods to limit excessive spending;
• Mandatory publication of campaign accounts;
• Limits on donations from individuals and foreign entities;
• Stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent abuse of incumbency;
• Promotion of gender and youth inclusion through conditional state support.

The groups also advocated for the separation of political finance regulation from the Electoral Commission’s current mandate and called for verified donor identities to ensure transparency.

In addition to domestic reforms, TI-Ghana and CDD-Ghana urged the Government of Ghana to co-sponsor a resolution on Article 7.3 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) at the upcoming CoSP 11 in Doha, Qatar.

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