Civil society organisations (CSOs) are demanding significant reforms to Ghana’s electoral system. They propose a new law to regulate campaign financing and establish an independent body to oversee political spending. This push aims to ensure fairness in elections.
These calls follow a study by the Gender Centre for Empowering Development. This research identified major structural issues within Ghana’s elections. Joseph Oti Frimpong, Programme Officer at CDD-Ghana, warned that increasing money in politics threatens Ghana’s election credibility. He stated that a draft model law would manage how political parties fund their campaigns.
Current laws, like the Constitution and the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), regulate parties but leave gaps in funding rules. Existing rules focus more on parties than individual candidates. "We don’t have spending limits for political parties," Frimpong explained. "So that’s the gap that the draft model law seeks to address." The study from January 2026 revealed that high campaign costs put women, disabled people, and other disadvantaged groups at a disadvantage. Political parties often favour candidates with more money.
This situation has economic implications for Ghana. Fairer elections can lead to more representative governance. This can then support better economic policies and development. Without proper regulation, money can influence election outcomes, potentially favouring candidates who can spend more rather than those with the best policies. This undermines public trust in democratic processes.
The CSOs believe that an independent electoral party regulator would be crucial. This body would enforce campaign finance rules. It would ensure transparency and equal opportunity for all contestants. This is vital for strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions and fostering a stable economic environment.
The proposed reforms aim to create a level playing field in political contests. This could lead to a more diverse range of voices in parliament and government. Policymakers and election administrators will need to consider these proposals seriously. The future effectiveness of Ghana’s elections and public trust hinges on addressing these campaign finance concerns.