The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has proposed a comprehensive legislative roadmap to tighten oversight of political party financing and curb the growing influence of money in Ghana’s electoral process.
It said unchecked campaign spending and vote-buying threatened the integrity of the country’s democracy.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, February 13, 2026, the democracy and governance think tank urged Parliament, the Attorney-General’s Department and other stakeholders to adopt what it described as a coherent and evidence-based legal framework to regulate political and campaign financing.
The call follows recent public concern over alleged vote-buying during party primaries and long-standing complaints about the rising cost of running for office.
CDD-Ghana stated reforms must go beyond piecemeal amendments and instead address the entire political finance system, including party and candidate funding, expenditure ceilings, third-party financing, disclosure requirements and enforcement mechanisms.
Legislative reforms
As part of its proposals, CDD-Ghana advocated the enactment of a standalone Political Finance Law to regulate fundraising and spending comprehensively.
It also recommended amendments to the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574) to strengthen transparency rules, sanctions and compliance, as well as revisions to existing electoral regulations, such as PNDCL 284, to bring internal party processes under clearer legal scrutiny.
“CDD-Ghana stresses that reforms will be insufficient unless they comprehensively address the broader political finance system, including party and candidate financing, candidate expenditure, third-party financing, disclosure requirements, abuse of incumbency and enforcement capacity,” the statement said.
Guiding the process
Citing previous studies it conducted with partners, the organisation said campaign expenditure had risen sharply over the years, placing elections beyond the reach of ordinary citizens and increasing the risk of corruption.
To guide reform, CDD-Ghana disclosed that it had worked with a 25-member multi-stakeholder group to develop a policy roadmap and draft a model political finance law.
The draft, it said, had been reviewed by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and submitted to the Attorney-General for consideration.
With support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Centre has also begun consultations with political parties, the private sector and civil society groups.
It also plans to hold 10 regional fora in the coming weeks to build national consensus around the proposed reforms.
“CDD-Ghana will continue to work with the Government, Parliament, political parties, citizens and all stakeholders to advance an evidence-based and enforceable political finance reform agenda that strengthens and consolidates Ghana’s democracy and promotes inclusive development,” it added.
Source: Graphic Online
