Make vote-buying costly in party elections — Bernard Mornah

The leader of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Bernard Anbataayela Mornah, has called on political parties to make vote-buying costly, campaign financing transparent, and competence central to the selection of leaders.

He said that when access to political leadership depended on who could pay the most, competence and commitment to public service risked being displaced, weakening members’ confidence that their choices mattered.

Mr Mornah, in a statement, said the response must cut across all parties, adding that appeals to conscience had to be backed by rules that parties were willing and able to enforce.

Ban on inducements

He proposed that party rules expressly prohibit cash, goods, mobile-money transfers and payments through agents meant to influence votes.

Candidates, he said, should be held accountable for inducements they authorised or knowingly financed through intermediaries, with responsibility established through evidence.

Spending limits

Mr Mornah called for realistic spending ceilings and a requirement that candidates declare donations, their sources and expenditure, including support in goods or services.

Independent checks should be arranged and accessible summaries published, he added, noting that the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) had also called for comprehensive political finance reform.

Election day support

Parties should organise modest transport and refreshments centrally, with published costs and equal treatment, he said, to reduce the chances of inducements being disguised as transport allowances.

“Candidates should not give personal allowances to delegates,” he added.

Candidate forums

He proposed compulsory forums where contestants would explain their records, understanding of the office and practical plans.

Candidates should have equal access to members through official party platforms, he said, so that personal wealth did not determine whose message was heard.

Sanctions

Mr Mornah called for an impartial complaints panel, confidential reporting channels, clear evidence standards and fixed decision deadlines.

Proven breaches, he said, should attract proportionate sanctions, potentially including disqualification or annulment, under rules adopted in advance and subject to appeal.

Lower cost of contesting

He also proposed moderate nomination fees, shorter campaign periods and shared campaign platforms to help capable members without wealthy sponsors to compete.

Regular membership dues, transparent fundraising and stronger political education would also reduce dependence on wealthy patrons, he said.

PNC’s next step

Mr Mornah said that before its next internal elections, the PNC should adopt clear safeguards through its appropriate decision-making bodies, appoint a credible enforcement committee and brief candidates and members on the rules.

Every candidate should submit a campaign finance declaration, and the party should publish a financial compliance report after the elections, he added.

He clarified that the measures were proposed reforms, not a statement that each was already required by Ghanaian law, and that any sanctions should be consistent with applicable law and party constitutions.

“Our parties must reward service, integrity and ability,” he said.