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Political parties and public accountability

The significance of public accountability in emerging democracies such as Ghana cannot be underestimated.

 

Public accountability does not only play a tremendous role in the effective functioning of good governance in a democratic society; it also contributes towards enhancing mutual understanding and trust, essentially important for accelerated growth.

In view of this, political parties, which are the key architects in the governance process of a democratic society, have no choice but to lead the way between citizens and the state to enhance public accountability. 

Indeed, political parties, as public organisations which receive support, funding and all kinds of contributions from the public, are enjoined to be accountable to the people.

Astonishing acts

It is, therefore, very astonishing for some political parties to find lame excuses for not being accountable to the people they claim to be serving.

It was most worrying when the EC last week disclosed that out of the 26 certified political parties operating in the country, only seven had met their financial obligations to the state.

According to the EC, between 2012 and 2015, 19 political parties, including the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the biggest opposition political force, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), failed to submit their audited financial statements to the election management body.

The seven parties that met their obligations to submit their audited accounts at the close of May 31, 2016, the deadline set by the EC, are the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the National Democratic Party (NDP), the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), the Independent People’s Party (IPP) and the United Front Party (UFP).

These parties need to be commended, at least for adhering to the laws of the land.

Article 55

Why some political parties would deliberately fail to comply with the laws of the land that regulate and govern their activities but will not spare the election management body an inch if they are perceived not to be doing the right thing for a free, fair and transparent election is mind- boggling.

Article 55 of the 1992 Constitution mandates political parties to have branches in all the regions of Ghana and, in addition, be organised in not less than two-thirds of the districts in each region.

The Political Parties Law 2000, Act 574, also highlights the founding and registration of political parties, their operations and funding.

Since the country is governed by political parties, they have no choice but to comply with the constitutional dictates of the law, as well as the political parties law which has been in the statutes since 2000.

Indeed, there is no denying the fact that one of the best ways to develop the nation is for everybody, including politicians and political parties, to be law-abiding and accountable to the people.

Institutional governance problems and the need to manage public accounts across many fronts have posed serious threats to emerging democracies.

Ensuring compliance with the law

The election management body has been harshly blamed for failing to implement the political parties laws to the letter.

After practising constitutional democracy since 1992, the time has come to ensure compliance with provisions of the law for the sake of accountability and transparency in the organisation and operations of the parties as far as their finances are concerned.

This is important for societal trust in political parties not to wane but to be strengthened.  

I am aware there are multiple schools of thought on the way forward, including the 

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