Buying delegates is easier than buying voters – Dr Kwapong

The director of Ashesi University, John Osae Kwapong has stated that Ghana’s major political parties are afraid of fully opening up their primaries because it could weaken the influence of money in internal elections.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show on Thursady, May 28, 2026,he argued that an open primary system would make it far more difficult for politicians to influence outcomes through cash and delegate manipulation.

According to him, the current structure gives too much power to a small group of delegates, creating an environment where money can quietly shape leadership contests.

“If every registered member in good standing can vote, you really increase the cost,” he explained.

Osae Kwapong said it is much easier for candidates to target a limited number of delegates than to influence an entire constituency made up of ordinary party members.

“It’s more difficult to try and buy an entire constituency than it is to buy a number of delegates,” he stated bluntly.

The political analyst admitted that both major parties have repeatedly raised concerns about the logistics and financial burden involved in organising open primaries. But he believes those arguments often overshadow the deeper democratic value such a system could bring.

For him, expanding participation inside political parties could force politicians to earn support through policies and grassroots engagement rather than financial inducements.

He insisted that candidates themselves should embrace broader participation because it ultimately strengthens legitimacy and reduces suspicion around manipulated outcomes.