Fund political parties- Forum

Bolgatanga, July 10, GNA - Participants at the Upper East Regional Consultative forum on funding of political parties in Ghana, agreed in Bolgatanga on Wednesday that state funding of political parties would enhance democracy in the country.

While some of the participants said the parties should be assisted with logistics in order to prevent corruption, others were of the view that physical cash could be given but the disbursement should be monitored by the Electoral Commission (EC).

The forum, organised by the EC embraced representatives of the various political parties, some civil society organisations and members of the Regional Inter-party Advisory Committee (RIPAC).

Dr. K.Afari-Gyan, Chairman of the EC, who spoke on the theme, "Financing political parties in Ghana-Challenges and prospects," said the essence of financing political parties was to create a level ground for all the parties to operate under equal opportunities.

He said since some people give money under certain conditions to parties, it influences the victorious party to satisfy demands of their benefactors to the detriment of the nation.

Dr Afari-Gyan said some parties are so poor that they cannot afford to keep their regional and district offices opened after the election period and thereby have to "go to sleep" until the next election. This, he said, was not the best, adding that regular campaign and education of the people by the parties should be on-going in order to keep them informed.

He explained that it was unacceptable for a non-citizen to directly or indirectly make a contribution or donation or give a loan to a political party.

Mr. Mahami Salifu, Regional Minister noted that the nation had reached a stage where it is necessary to create the required conditions for sustainable political development, thus funding the parties would help promote healthy competition and give all the parties a fair chance. The participants discussed, the financial challenges of running political parties, political parties Act of 2000 (Act 574) and ways of improving political party financing.