CDD-Ghana refines Model Bill to reform political financing – Director

Sunyani (Bono), March 2, – The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) says it is fine-tuning a draft Model Bill aimed at regulating political party financing and strengthening Ghana’s multiparty democratic system.

Mr Frederick Adu-Gyamfi, Director of Programmes and Operations at CDD-Ghana, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the draft had been submitted to the Attorney-General and would subsequently be forwarded to Parliament with government backing.

He explained that the proposed legislation seeks to address structural gaps in the political financing framework and curb the increasing monetisation of politics and vote-buying, which undermine electoral integrity. The Bill also promotes transparency and accountability in the funding of political parties and campaign activities.

CDD-Ghana, in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), organised a stakeholders’ forum in Sunyani to deepen public understanding of the draft and gather feedback to refine it.

Among its key proposals are the establishment of an independent electoral financing and enforcement authority, the introduction of expenditure ceilings for campaigns and the definition of a specific campaign period for political activities.

Mr Adu-Gyamfi said the reforms were designed to confront longstanding weaknesses in the political financing regime and appealed for broad public support to facilitate the passage of the Bill into law.

Miss Cynthia Anima Boadu, Bono Regional Director of the NCCE, acknowledged democratic progress under the Fourth Republic but warned that escalating campaign costs posed a threat to democratic integrity.

She noted that campaign activities had increasingly been characterised by high spending levels with limited transparency regarding funding sources.

Citing a 2018 study conducted by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in partnership with CDD-Ghana, she said the cost of contesting a parliamentary seat rose by 59 per cent between 2012 and 2016, with candidates spending an average of US$85,000.

She also referred to a 2020 follow-up study by CDD-Ghana, supported by Adam Smith International (ASI), which reported a significant increase in campaign expenditure to approximately GH¢4 million, including resources used to maintain constituency support networks.

According to Ms Boadu, the study indicated that a considerable portion of campaign financing originated from opaque and potentially illicit sources, some allegedly linked to organised crime.

She expressed concern over weak enforcement of the 1992 Constitution and the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), noting that the absence of defined spending limits, donation caps and strict disclosure requirements allowed unreported funds to influence electoral processes.

Ms Boadu called for comprehensive reforms to safeguard electoral integrity, curb corruption and enhance transparency in Ghana’s democratic governance.

GHBUSS

02 March 2026