Accra: Two prominent anti-corruption advocates have suggested a maximum of six months for political campaign periods as a measure to combat corruption linked to political financing.
According to Ghana News Agency, the call was made by Mrs. Mary Awelana Addah, Executive Director of Transparency International, Ghana, and Mr. Kwami Edem Senanu, Co-Chair of the Citizen Movement Against Corruption, during a panel discussion at a national dialogue on ‘strengthening rule of law and combating corruption in Ghana’. The event was organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) under the theme ‘Empowering Citizens, Promoting Accountability’.
Mrs. Addah highlighted that prolonged campaign periods impose significant financial burdens on political parties and candidates, making them susceptible to corrupt practices. She explained that the extended timeframes compel political entities to seek funding from sources that may later expect returns on their ‘investments’ once the party is in power. Mrs. Addah advocated for a reduction in the campaign period, citing Denmark’s example, where campaigns are succinctly conducted within six months, allowing citizens to resume their normal lives promptly after elections.
Furthermore, Mrs. Addah urged for a review and enhancement of the Political Party Act to better regulate financing and ensure transparency. She emphasized the need for candidates to disclose the amount of donations received, which would contribute to reducing corruption.
Mr. Senanu reinforced the necessity of enforcing a legally mandated six-month campaign period to prevent financial exploitation during elections. He also called on the constitutional review committee to address discrepancies in political party financing to promote transparency.
Professor Justice Bawole, former Dean of the University of Ghana Business School, urged patience with anti-corruption efforts, underscoring the need for consistency in fighting corruption. He advocated for training public servants in ethics and establishing systems that reward ethical behavior.
Mr. Victor K. Brobbey, Deputy Chairman of General Services at the NCCE, emphasized the importance of rebuilding citizens’ conscience to win the corruption fight, while Mr. Kwaku Lartey Obeng from GIZ encouraged civil society organizations to continue advocating for policy changes and accountability.
The national dialogue, part of the PAIReD programme, aimed to enhance good governance and accountability. It was commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union and Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The initiative was implemented by GIZ and the Ministry of Finance.