Rising cost of politics threatens African democracy, warns CDD-Ghana Executive Director
via GhanaWeb1 min read
Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of CDD-Ghana, stated that the increasing cost of politics in Africa is undermining democracy, fostering corruption, and eroding public trust in state institutions. Speaking at the High-Level Regional Convening on the Financialisation of Politics in Africa in Accra, Professor Prempeh highlighted that the expense of contesting elections is making political participation difficult for ordinary citizens. He noted that the true cost of elections, even for internal party positions, in countries like Ghana, often exceeds current estimates. Professor Prempeh explained that unregulated political financing enables wealthy elites, domestic cartels, and foreign interests to influence political parties and elections, marginalizing women, youth, and the middle class. He added that politicians frequently seek to recoup significant campaign expenses through corruption once in office, and costly elections also heighten the risk of electoral violence and diminish public confidence in democratic institutions. The three-day convening aims to produce the Accra Declaration, a continental pledge to enhance transparency, accountability, and integrity in political financing across Africa.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
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Must ReadBinaifer Nowrojee, President of the Open Society Foundations OSF, stated that the escalating cost of politics across Africa is systematically excluding women, young people, and citizens without wealthy supporters from political leadership. Speaking at the 'Convening on Financialization of Politics in Africa' in Accra, Nowrojee highlighted that the increasing financial demands of contesting elections are making democratic participation less inclusive and limiting opportunities for ordinary citizens to seek public office. She noted that evidence from countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe indicates that election campaigns have become increasingly expensive, favoring wealthy individuals and those with access to powerful financial networks. Nowrojee explained that financial power influences not only who contests elections but also whose voices are heard and whose interests shape public policy. To address this, she called for comprehensive reforms in political financing, including mandatory disclosure of political donations, transparent public funding systems, stronger oversight institutions, independent enforcement mechanisms, and safeguards against illicit and foreign influence. She emphasized that various stakeholders, including governments, political parties, and civil society organizations, share the responsibility to ensure political leadership is determined by public confidence rather than financial strength, aiming for a future where every citizen