The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Hon.Papa Owusu Ankomah has stated that government is still committed to providing some financial support for the operations of political parties in the country.
Papa Ankomah further explained that funding of political parties does not necessarily mean that the tax payer’s money will be used to do all the funding. The Attorney General made these observations when he launched the reports of the consultative on financing of political parties and electoral process on December 23, 2003-in Accra.
He emphasized that government will not take a unilateral action in the report but will be sensitive to the views expressed on the matter, and added that once political parties are supported, their activities will be opened to public scrutiny.
Papa Ankomah urged all Ghanaians to study the report and make the requisite contributions.
The chairman for the Electoral Commission. Dr.K Afari Gyan disclosed that the quest for a public financial support is as a result of political party’s inability to carry out other meaningful activities from their own resources beyond contesting elections.
He stated that, there is the need for the Electoral Commission to collaborate with the Inter Party Advisory Committee and the Ministry of Justice to complete the agenda.
DR Atari Gina said that a lot remains to be done towards reaching a consensus on the parameters and eligibility for support as well as putting in place appropriate legislation mechanisms for the realization of the support.
The chairman for the Public Utility Regulation Commission Mr Kwame Pianim said that the report signifies the increasing political maturity of the political process in Ghana and that of its leadership,
He added that. the funding of political parties is of immense importance for the survival of Ghana’s new attempt at rebuilding a democratic state anchored on pluralism and diversity of initiatives and approaches to building a just society.
