Election 2024: Political parties must disclose sources of their campaign funds - NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has emphasised the need for all political parties to disclose their sources of campaign funds to promote transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

According to the commission, disclosure could help build trust in Ghana’s political system, prevent corruption, and strengthen democracy.

At a stakeholder engagement of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), in the Kwaebibirem, in the Eastern Region, Mrs. Gertrude Adwoa Defoe, Municipal Director of the Kwaebibirem National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), called on political parties to adhere to their obligations under the electoral laws, which are crucial for strengthening Ghana’s democratic values and ensuring free and fair elections.

She highlighted the importance of the IPDC, noting that it provided a crucial platform for discussing issues that promoted peace and communicating measures to the electorate through their representatives on how to maintain peace and harmony in the municipality.

She touched on monetisation of politics, disinformation, misinformation, malinformation, and religious and political tolerance.

“We need to stop monetisation of politics in Ghana,” she said, highlighting “unfortunate situations” where politicians distributed money, gifts or resources in exchange for votes.

She also stressed the importance of political candidates refraining from bribing voters and voters not accepting financial inducements from politicians to prevent vote-buying.

“It’s difficult for bribery in politics to take place when voters refuse money from politicians who may still try to get them to vote for them through financial inducements,” she added.

She also expressed concern over the growing spread of disinformation and misinformation and urged the public to verify the authenticity of all information they receive, especially on social media, before sharing it, to prevent the dissemination of false information.

She stated that “Malinformation which involves the dissemination of unpleasant or disgusting information about an individual for political gain must be strongly discouraged and not entertained.”

She cautioned participants to refrain from sharing information or news that could potentially disrupt the peace and stability of the nation, even if it is true.

She recognized Ghana’s diversity, comprising various ethnic groups and religious bodies, and emphasized the importance of tolerance in interactions and discourse among the populace, especially during political seasons.

Other speakers, including Inspector Isaac Owusu-Achiaw of the Ghana Police Service’s Municipal Command in Kwaebibirem, Mr. James Haywood-Daddie, Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission in Kwaebibirem, and Nana Sarpong Kumankuman, Chief of Adankrono town, all emphasized the importance of peaceful, free, and fair elections.

Inspector Isaac Owusu-Achiaw, the representative of the Kwaebibirem Municipal Command of the Ghana Police Service, provided in-depth education on Ghana’s public order act, urging all political stakeholders to abide by the law to ensure peaceful elections.

Nana Sarpong Kumankuman, the Chief of Adankrono town, joined the call to prioritize peace and emphasized the importance of being “Ghana-minded,” especially during this year’s general election season.

Closing the session, the newly sworn-in executives of the Kwaebibirem IPDC were introduced.

They are Chairman: Rev. Abraham Kingsley Ansah; Vice Chairman: Imam Massoud Musah and Secretary: Mrs. Gertrude Adwoa Defoe.

All participants expressed their commitment to play their roles effectively and efficiently in maintaining peace before, during, and after the elections.

Source: GNA