The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called for constitutional reforms to tackle the mounting challenges of political financing in the country, warning of its adverse effects on governance and democracy.

This appeal follows revelations by Dr Dickson Adomako Kissi, the Member of Parliament for Anyaa Sowutuom, who disclosed that parliamentary candidates spend an average of GHS 10 million on their campaigns, placing an unsustainable financial burden on aspirants.

“On average, every NPP Member of Parliament who entered this battle may have spent close to GHS 10 million, from primaries to date. That is because they had faith and believed they could win. It is a very painful thing to invest so much and lose,” Dr Kissi said during a discussion on The Big Issues.

He continued: “These are some of the challenges we face with our democracy. We may need to scale back. People are also demanding more than is realistic from many ministers. But who caused it? The promises were numerous.”

At an event organised by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) to reflect on incidents from the 2024 elections, CODEO Co-chair Dr Fred Deegbe underscored the broader consequences of exorbitant campaign costs.

Dr Deegbe cautioned that the financial pressures on candidates often drive corruption and push Members of Parliament to prioritise personal wealth over serving the public interest.

“These excessive costs compel candidates to focus on recouping their expenses rather than delivering on the public’s expectations, undermining the essence of democratic governance,” he remarked.

CODEO stressed the urgent need for reforms to regulate political financing and lower financial barriers to contesting public office, ensuring a more level playing field for aspiring candidates.

“Reforms are essential for fostering accountability, reducing corruption, and maintaining the integrity of Ghana’s democracy. Political office should be accessible to individuals driven by public service, not solely those with substantial financial resources,” Dr Deegbe stated.

The coalition also called for constitutional amendments and regulatory measures to alleviate the financial pressures distorting the nation’s electoral processes and governance.