Political party financing by individuals - The stain we cannot erase during governance.

As long as Political Parties are financed by individuals, the

temptation will always be high for one who sits in the political chair

to be corrupt even if he or she is a Saint.

Even before this recent famous Anas' expose' dubbed Number 12,

centering on corruption in football and it's connection with politics,

I had always share that view about the ill strings associated with our

practice of financing political parties. The investments some

individuals make into political parties during elections are the

stains we cannot erase during Governance.

The embattled and Former President of the Ghana Football Association,

Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi has come out clearly to deny as false on his

comments about the President of Ghana, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo in

the Number 12 expose' by Ghana's pride and International acclaimed

journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. However, every good and discerning

citizen would analyse all the possibilities that could be genuinely

associated with the allegations against the seat of Governance.

Highlighting on the issues as said by Mr. Nyantakyi in the undercover

video, he alleged that "I know for a fact that Nana Addo sold his

properties to win the elections so his family is very broke. His

brothers are always asking for money, therefore, the $5 million will

ease the burden." He added, "there is a man called Kennedy Agyapong.

He is an MP. He is one of the biggest financiers of the NPP. He is

very loud. He owns OMAN FM and NET2 TV. He is criticising the

Government, his own Government, he wants to control everything."

I would not be a hypocrite and condemn Mr. President and Mr. Agyapong

even if the details Mr. Nyantakyi alleged is true. Nobody will sow and

expect not to reap. Bigwigs invest into their parties to bring the

parties into power: hence there must be an apparent gain afterwards.

Obviously, a person's investment into a political party is more likely

to influence appointments into certain key positions, awarding of

contracts etc hence national development is sure to dwindle. I watched

Kennedy Agyapong once on Adom TV's morning show 'badwam' telling the

huge sums of money Alfred Obeng contributed to the NPP 2016 election

campaign. Couldn't Alfred Obeng's position as Managing Director of

Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) be a reward for his

donation to the campaign? Couldn't there be a better technocrat to

head BOST at that time instead of him? If there could be, then

'political party financing' by individuals won in that instance.

I do not blame anybody who has been in Public Office or is currently

in any position who has done same. It is so human for everyone to seek

first the welfare of a donor affiliate than an ordinary affiliate when

both of them ask for help.

Based on our system and per Mr. Nyantakyi's allegations, personally I

feel it is not too ill for Mr. Agyapong to be given the Road Ministry

to control if he indeed he financed the NPP Party as Mr. Nyantakyi

alleged.

As long as there is no effective and lasting solution to phase out the

act of financing political party campaigns by individuals during

elections, let's allow these donors to reap what they sow. If they get

all the contracts for themselves and they would do due diligence to

the Nation by constructing for us good roads, we would allow them.

If Mr. Nyantakyi's allegation is anything to go by, why would Mr.

President sell his assets to finance his campaign if there was a

proper Government policy to address political party financing in our

part of the world?

As long as this issue of party financing is not adequately addressed,

I pity some of our young colleagues who are increasingly warming

themselves into this political game. This process is sure to tempt

them to be corrupt. They may eventually find yourself doing the very

same things they criticised when they were distanced from the front of

political party day to day administration.

How successfully and effectively can a person use his political power

to punish culprits of corruption in our public offices if these

politicians themselves are corrupt?

Anas will keep naming and shaming, the few determined whistle blowers

will keep monitoring shady deals in our public offices: some offenders

who are not smart enough to get in bed with powerful hands in

Government will be jailed. However all these methods which I call

'Anas and the whistle blowers' are near zero to the fight against

corruption if Political Parties would still be financed by

individuals. Corruption will still be hailed in the hearts of these

group of persons who are opportune to be called to serve us.

We do not have to overlook this fact that 'Political Party financing

by individuals' is the main hindrance to the effective fight against

corruption.

Let's think about this. What will be the best policy Ghana can employ

to substitute these individuals who finance our Political Parties? I

think this will be an honest and a genuine strategy to fight

corruption in Ghana.

People of Ghana, let's rise up and think right. We can surely do what

is right in order to move Ghana forward.

I have no other place I can call home as long as I remain here on

earth. Ghana is my home.

I love Ghana.

May God bless Ghana.

Samoa Mensa.