The Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, has called for a comprehensive review of the internal party election process among the various political parties in the country.
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante reacting to recent revelations by Zebilla’s Member of Parliament, Cletus Avoka, who attributed corruption to political incumbency, expressed his deep concerns about the erosion of democratic values within political parties, asserting that the selection of party leaders has become tainted by financial considerations rather than merit or democratic processes.
According to him, the existing arrangement among the various political parties in the country allows individuals with significant financial resources to secure leadership positions, sidelining the essence of true democracy.
“It is not just a question of being an MP because even political parties have become an arena for deals. Who becomes a leader in a party is even no longer democratic and it is limited to who can pay. People know who becomes a leader even before elections are held”.
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante further bemoaned the prevalence of pre-determined leadership which mostly accompanied the outcomes of the internal elections of the various political parties in the country and strongly asserted that the situation undermined the very essence of internal party elections.
Furthermore, Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) emphasized the need for a comprehensive regime and structural overhaul to address the growing concerns related to illicit funding of political campaigns.
He argued that raising funds from dubious sources raises serious ethical and legal questions, threatening the integrity of the democratic process in the country.
“We have to put a regime and a structure in place to curb this because people are raising money from illicit places for elections and that raises concern”.
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante
Calls For The Abolishment Of Delegates System
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante commenting on the delegate system through which the various political parties in the country use to select its leaders, called for the abolition of the system.
He argued that the current delegate system practiced by the various political parties in the country contributes to a lack of transparency and fosters an environment where party leadership positions can be secured through financial incentives.
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante also called for the establishment of clear and comprehensive laws to regulate internal party competition, ensuring a level playing field for all candidates.
“As for the delegates system, it has to go and laws must be made to regulate the amount of donations that can be given and all of that,”
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante
Dr. Asante further underscored the importance of creating a fair and transparent electoral environment within political parties in the country.
In addition, the Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), urged policymakers to take immediate action in drafting and implementing laws that would address the issues raised.
He emphasized that such reforms are crucial for the sustenance of a healthy democratic system for the country.
The Member of Parliament for Zebilla Constituency, Cletus Avoka, recently disclosed that corruption is a prerequisite for political incumbency and stated the huge challenges Members of Parliament faced in maintaining their seats without engaging in corrupt practices.
Mr Avoka, a former Majority Leader of Parliament strongly stated that the huge responsibility often imposed on incumbent Members of Parliament makes it nearly impossible for them not to engage in corrupt activities to maintain their position during both political party’s internal and general elections.
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