A new report by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has highlighted that securing victory in both presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana now costs approximately $150 million, along with an additional 10 million Ghanaian cedis.
This major financial burden is attributed to the increasing monetization of the electoral process, a trend that is fostering corruption and undermining accountability in public office.
Dr. Kojo Asante, Director of Programmes at CDD-Ghana, expressed his alarm during a presentation to the Constitutional Review Committee, calling for a shift towards electing leaders with integrity and emphasizing the importance of prioritizing public welfare to drive national development.
Previous reports from CDD-Ghana had indicated that the cost to run for president in Ghana was around $100 million.
The latest report echoes an increase in this cost, indicating a growing financial burden on political campaigns.
The report also recommends that the Political Parties Act be amended to include the prohibition of funding with illicit sources and suggests setting up an office to enforce campaign financing regulations.
This escalating cost of winning elections in Ghana raises serious concerns about the future of democratic governance and the country’s fight against corruption.
