Former President John Dramani Mahama, is suggesting that the State finances campaigns of viable political parties in order to prevent financiers from determining the direction of the govt when in power.
Mr. Mahama is of the opinion that the State must bear some of the cost incurred by political parties during elections to ease the burden on the various parties and dilute the influence of financiers on govt.
He was speaking during a public lecture at University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) auditorium.
Mr. Mahama, a flagbearer hopeful of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) opined that, on government support for political funding, some have argued that the only funding that may be advanced to parties and cannot be concealed in secrecy is public funding.
This refers to government giving financial resources or indirect assistance to political parties. In the absence of such support, and given the huge cost of political activities, wealthy party financiers may take over as political godfathers who determine electoral outcomes and all that follows it.
Mr. Mahama further stated that it will be prudent if article 43(2) of the 1992 constitution is amended to curb the appointment of the political party activists onto the board of the EC.
According to him, the revision will ensure that parliament approves anyone appointed by a government to join EC board.
Godfred Sey / Ahotoronline.com
