The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has recently intensified its focus on the financial aspects of political campaigning in Ghana, expressing concerns that illicit funds could potentially infiltrate the country's political arena.
With less than ten months remaining until the 2024 elections, the GACC, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), is renewing its efforts to combat these perceived threats.
This initiative has been prompted by reported incidents of voter inducements during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries, raising alarms about the potential for corruption in the political landscape.
In an interview with GHONE TV, Member of Parliament for Zebila Cletus Avoka acknowledged the susceptibility of politicians to corruption in order to maintain their positions.
Research conducted by the Centre for Democratic Development revealed that parliamentary candidates spent close to $700,000 to nurture a constituency, participate in primaries, and secure victory in the 2020 elections.
Executive Secretary of the GACC, Beauty Emefa Narteh, cautioned against the alarming trend of voter inducements, highlighting the potential for politicians to seek funding from illicit sources including organized crime networks.
The GACC is advocating for increased transparency in the financing of political parties, urging a reevaluation of the provisions outlined in the Political Parties Act to ensure fairness and accountability.
Furthermore, there are suspicions within the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) regarding criminal entities attempting to influence political campaigns through illicit funding. These entities may be involved in activities such as narcotics, human trafficking, illegal mining, and money laundering.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) remains committed to addressing cases of vote buying, with ongoing prosecutions and a call for public cooperation in providing evidence to support legal action against those engaged in corrupt practices.
The campaign, titled "SERIOUS AND ORGANIZED CRIME (SOC): A THREAT TO 2024 ELECTIONS," is supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and aims to safeguard public funds from being misappropriated for electoral purposes, thereby hindering the country's infrastructural and socio-economic development.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of the GACC, OSP, and EOCO reflect a concerted commitment to upholding integrity and transparency in Ghana's political processes, safeguarding against the influence of illicit funds and organized crime in electoral activities.
-source Starrfm | curated by Tetteh Belinda | Ghana Crimes
