Gov’t should fund political parties to end ‘democracy for sale’ – Oti Regional Minister

The Oti Regional Minister, John Kwadwo Gyapong, has called on the government to provide financial support to political parties, saying that public funding would help address concerns about money influencing electoral competition.

He said if Ghanaians wanted to end what is described as the sale of democracy, the state should take responsibility for funding political parties to support their activities.

Speaking at JoyNews’ Democracy Is Not for Sale dialogue at the Dambai College of Education on Friday, November 13, Mr Gyapong said that the financial demands of political campaigns make investment an unavoidable part of electoral politics.

He said candidates and political parties require resources to mobilise voters, organise campaigns and meet other election-related expenses.

The Regional Minister questioned why political spending during elections was treated differently from financial transactions in other aspects of life, including education and healthcare.

He argued that candidates invest in politics because they expect to gain political positions and other benefits from the process.

Mr Gyapong said he believed the debate about money in elections should therefore move beyond criticising political spending and consider how parties could be adequately funded.

“So what I'm saying is that if Ghanaians don't want to say there is democracy for sale, then the government should take care of the party.

"The government should give out money that they will use for the party. Fund political parties. When you fund them, then we are not talking about the sale of democracy,” he said.

He maintained that public funding of political parties would provide an alternative source of financial support for their activities and help address the concerns surrounding money in elections.