Political parties invests hugely in propaganda rather than policies – CDD bemoans

Executive Director of the Center for Democratic Development, Professor H.K Prempeh, has said the winner takes all syndrome in Ghana has given room for investments in politics and propaganda rather than policy.

Speaking at the launch of CDD’s Manifesto Project on Thursday, July 2, 2020, Professor Prempeh said the system of governance in the country which entrusts power in the hands of a few is worrying.

This development, he explained has been a major problem for Ghana’s democracy.

“There is consistently concern on how this country is governed. Which is how public power is exercised to manage and solve public problems. The winner takes all system seems to drive an excessive investment in politics rather than policies.”

According to the civil society boss, politicians appear to invest in how to capture power and rule with less focus on policies.

“The one sector of the economy that we see growth in is politics. You will see investments in propaganda. A lot of party communicators. We know very few party policy advisors but we know almost all the communicators. We invest hugely in politics and propaganda than policies,” he said.

He further raised concerns about the need for the country to tackle corruption which hit the running of party elections as well as the campaign.

“The issue of campaign financing must be looked at. We must get to the bottom of how politics is financed, the cost of doing politics, the cost of primaries, the cost of general elections, etc. We need to get to the bottom of that. The issue of campaign finance is one element that is missing on party manifestos.”

The CDD-Ghana on Thursday, July 2, 2020, launched a report titled, ‘The Manifesto Project, Promoting responsive and responsible Manifestos for national development, a compilation of issues and Evidence on Key sectors in Ghana’.