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University of Ghana professor advocates state funding for political parties to strengthen democracy
via GhanaWeb3 min read
Professor Isaac Owusu Mensah, Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, has called for state funding of political parties, emphasizing their crucial role as vehicles for democratic change. Speaking at a study presentation on Ghana鈥檚 democratic trajectory, he highlighted that while Ghanaians remain committed to democracy and the ability to change governments through elections, there is growing dissatisfaction with corruption and the economic performance of democratic governments. The study, conducted across all regions and 107 constituencies, found that despite public admiration for some West African military leaders, Ghanaians value democratic governance. Professor Owusu Mensah argued that the state must actively support political parties, suggesting a review of the country鈥檚 Elections Fund to provide financial aid, managed jointly by the Majority Leader and the Minister for Finance. Anna Lena Sabroso Wasserfall, Country Representative of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung KAS Ghana, noted the timeliness of the study given recent military takeovers in West Africa and global concerns about democratic backsliding, stressing the importance of understanding public perceptions to strengthen democratic resilience.
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