The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has opposed the use of state funds to finance the non-electioneering activities of political parties, describing such support as unacceptable.

The think tank, however, backed clearly defined state assistance for internal party elections, particularly through payments to the Electoral Commission (EC), following the abolition of the delegate system.

The IEA also rejected the proposal to establish a Democracy Fund, as recommended by the H.Kwasi Prempeh Constitution Review Committee (CRC).

The proposed fund would be administered by an Independent Registrar and Regulator of Political Parties and Campaigns (IRRPC). While the government has accepted the proposal in principle, it intends to establish the fund through legislation instead of constitutional entrenchment.

Council of State

Speaking at a press conference on the IEA’s position on the CRC’s key proposals and the government’s position paper, Justice Sophia Akuffo, a fellow of the IEA, criticised the existing arrangement under which the President effectively selects his principal advisors.

“The Council should instead reflect institutional representation (modelled after the traditional councils of chiefs), alongside elected regional representatives,” it said.

On the inclusion of women and other marginalised groups in political institutions, she advocated a proportional representation system that would enable political parties to nominate candidates based on their share of votes in an election.

Justice Akuffo said mandatory quota and non-quota measures were necessary to address the persistent under-representation of women in Ghana’s political institutions.

According to her, such measures should ensure that all public institutions comprised at least 30 per cent of each gender and other identified groups.

She said the IEA considered the proposals submitted by both the Prempeh Committee and the government grossly insufficient.

Development planning

The IEA also called for an independent National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) with institutional representation and the power to formulate binding national development plans.

Justice Akuffo said the commission’s membership should not be tied to the President’s tenure, while political party manifestos should be required to reflect the approved national development plan.

“Instead of repeatedly resetting Ghana’s development agenda with every change of government, a credible long-term national development framework can provide continuity while allowing successive governments sufficient room to pursue their electoral mandates within an agreed national direction,” she said.

Asset declaration

Justice Akuffo, a former Chief Justice, said strengthening the asset declaration regime would improve accountability and help detect and address illicit enrichment by public officeholders in a timely manner.

“The fight against corruption requires more than general principles; it requires clear, enforceable and credible constitutional obligations that cannot be easily amended,” she said.

She said the IEA supported constitutionalising the CRC’s recommendations to strengthen Article 286 (4), particularly measures addressing unexplained increases in the wealth of public officials, including lifestyle and wealth audits.