State funding of political parties needs holistic look

Democracy is argued to be the best form of governance, and not surprisingly, Ghana, on the attainment of independence in 1957, adopted multi-party democracy to help in the country’s quest for accelerated development.

But, over the years, especially since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1992, some individuals have dominated some political parties because of their financial muscle.

Such people sponsor not only political parties but also candidates for various positions.

The practice has become a major headache in the fight against corruption.

It has also worked against deepening internal democracy in the country.

The situation has created weak internal party structures and poor organisational systems that have badly affected party organisation, as the financiers are seen more as the owners of the parties.

As it is, any individual seeking political office, either at the party and or the national level, must have the blessing of the financiers of the parties.

While incumbent political parties are accused of taking advantage of being in power with the avalanche of state resources, the lack or absence of an equitable political party financing system has contributed to the weakening of political parties in opposition.

The only semblance of guaranteeing equitable resources is giving the parties equal access to state-owned media organisations during elections.

We have also had the situation where the Electoral Commission (EC) provided some vehicles for registered political parties during elections.

The issue of the state funding of political parties has thus become imperative.

In his lecture on the subject last week, former President John Mahama pointed out that any state funding should ensure that certain elements did not take undue advantage of the country’s governance system.

The Daily Graphic recalls that in 2003, former President John Agyekum Kufuor had, at a forum, endorsed the financing of political parties by the state.

Indeed, what remain unresolved are the issues of when to finance political parties, how much should be expended and which parties qualify to be supported.

While we support calls for the state funding of political parties, we believe the subject should be carefully thought through to ensure that the state gets value for money.

This will call for proper vetting of political parties to ensure that they comply with political party registration rules.

We also expect the EC to see to it that political parties are, indeed, existent in all constituencies and not just headquartered in Accra.

The argument by some parties that the law does not refer to physical presence (offices) but having representatives needs to be looked at again.

The Daily Graphic believes that the whole argument of state funding must be holistically looked at, considering the fact that the country has serious challenges with financing health, road and education budgets, areas that directly affect our development as a country.

As former President Mahama said in his lecture, it is a truism that the dependency on a few individuals who finance political campaigns in return for favours is a recipe for corruption.

We agree with him that state funding of political parties must be accompanied by a Public Funding of Political Parties Bill.

But such a law should not just be recorded in the statutes but must be executed to the letter to ensure that our envious democratic journey advances and inures to the benefit of the people.

We must at all cost avoid the situation where the country is run indirectly by a few financiers.

Our hope and prayer are that stakeholders in the country’s democracy will give the state funding of political parties a thought.

This is more crucial, particularly at a time when discussions have commenced in earnest on the amendment of the 1992 Constitution.

There is the need also to consider the introduction of strict guidelines on state funding of political parties that will make it difficult for the formation of moribund parties whose motivation will be just to qualify for funding and not to add to the enhancement of the democratic culture.