Former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Mac Manu, has proposed implementing time limits on political campaigns in Ghana to enhance governance and alleviate financial strains.
Speaking at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences’ annual public forum on “National Elections in Ghana: Issues and Prospects,” focused on “Regulating Campaign Financing for National Elections: A Comparative Perspective,” Mr Manu criticized Ghana’s prolonged campaign periods.
He argued that these extended campaigns hinder elected governments from effectively implementing policies.
“In this country, we used to say that the next elections begin after the end of the last election.
“How can you campaign for four years?” he questioned. Manu proposed that campaigns should commence only when the Electoral Commission (EC) has received and approved an aspirant’s candidacy, making them eligible to contest the elections.
Mr Manu underscored instances where candidates faced legal challenges due to rejected nominations, citing recent cases like the Assin North Constituency.
He proposed synchronizing campaign periods with the EC’s nomination approval, typically around September 19.
“So, if the EC has not approved your candidature, you may win your party’s parliamentary or presidential primaries, but you are not a candidate,” he explained.
Expressing concern over Ghana’s extended campaign cycles compared to Nigeria and Kenya’s shorter campaigns of about six months, Manu stressed the urgency for reforms.
He advocated amending Ghana’s Political Parties Act 2000 (Act 574) to regulate campaign financing, including setting expenditure limits for parties and candidates.
Having served as NPP Campaign Manager for the 2016 and 2020 elections, Manu highlighted the need for clear guidelines on election spending and criticized the escalating costs of politics.
He emphasized how these high costs exclude capable individuals, particularly youth, women, and persons with disabilities, from engaging in politics.
Executive Director of the Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability, William Nyarko, echoed Mr Manu’s concerns at the forum. Nyarko criticized Ghana’s inadequate campaign financing regulations and urged immediate reforms, including state funding for political parties to promote transparency and accountability in electoral processes.