Money politics is locking out first-time aspirants, young people and women, the Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED) has warned, as it called for urgent reform of how political parties finance internal elections.
In a statement issued in Accra on October 26, 2026, GenCED said recurring allegations of vote-buying and financial inducements were making it harder for newcomers without wealthy backers to compete.
It cited concerns around the National Democratic Congress (NDC) constituency elections on October 24 and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) constituency elections on July 11–12.
It also pointed to the NPP presidential primary on January 31 and the NDC's Ayawaso East primary on March 3, which drew an investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
GenCED stressed the problem cuts across party lines. It said allegations must be investigated fairly and no one presumed guilty without evidence.
Uneven playing field
Citing its research, The Price to Participate, GenCED said financial demands, patronage networks and informal costs restrict access to leadership.
"When cash becomes an instrument of competition," it said, adding that in effect, the ability to raise money could overshadow ideas, integrity and capacity. Women, young people and persons with disabilities face added barriers.
Party accountability
The group urged all parties to set up credible complaints and investigation mechanisms and apply sanctions impartially. It also asked investigative institutions to act on credible evidence of electoral offences.
“Clear rules, accurate delegate registers, impartial officials and effective dispute resolution were essential,” it added.
Six-point reform call
GenCED asked parties and state institutions to: strengthen internal electoral rules and sanctions; improve transparency in campaign financing; review legal gaps on party financing; remove financial barriers facing women, youth and persons with disabilities; step up delegate education, scrutiny and enforcement; and begin cross-party dialogue with civil society on practical reforms.
"Ghana's democratic future must not be determined by who can spend the most," GenCED said, adding that no party should be selectively scrutinised or exempt from standards of integrity.
