The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has urged a constitutional review to address the growing issue of political financing in Ghana.

This comes in the wake of claims by Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi, the Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, that aspiring Parliamentary Candidates spend an average of GH¢10 million on their campaigns, creating an unsustainable financial burden.

“On average, every NPP Member of Parliament who went into this battle may have spent close to GH¢10 million. From primaries to date. GH¢10 million on average. And that is because they had faith and they felt that they could win. And like I said, I am not here to add to their injury. It is a very painful thing to invest so much and lose.

“These are some of the challenges we have with our democracy. And I think that we may have to dial down. I was talking with Honourable Henry Quartey, and he felt that people were also demanding more than was doable from a lot of ministers. But who caused it? The promises were many,” Dr Kissi said on Saturday on the Big Issues.

At an event hosted by the Ghana Center for Democratic Governance (CDD-Ghana) to discuss incidents from the 2024 elections, CODEO Co-chair Dr. Fred Deegbe highlighted the consequences of such high campaign costs.

Dr. Deegbe argued that the financial pressures on candidates often drive corruption and push Members of Parliament to prioritize personal wealth accumulation over public service once elected.

CODEO emphasized the need for urgent reforms to regulate political financing and reduce the financial barriers to contesting for public office.

These measures, they argued, would enhance accountability, reduce corruption, and strengthen Ghana’s democracy.

“It costs over an estimated $600,000 or GH¢10 million for somebody to run for the office of a parliamentarian, and that person, if he ever gets into power, how is he going to defray that cost, and all the people who helped that person become an MP will be expecting some kickbacks in either contracts or school fees, and it is too expensive, and these are the things that sometimes fuel corruption.”