Yaw Nsarkoh, former executive at Unilever, criticizes Ghana’s opaque political financing during a JoyNews interview. He laments the absence of knowledge regarding campaign funding, equating the current system to a ‘Santa Claus democracy’ where elections become a public auction. He urges media and citizens to demand transparency, stating that the lack of financial oversight leads to corruption and elite enrichment, compromising Ghana’s democracy.
In a striking critique of Ghana’s political landscape, former Unilever Ghana and Nigeria Executive Vice President Yaw Nsarkoh highlighted a critical flaw: the lack of transparency regarding campaign financing. During an interview on JoyNews’ PM Express, he asserted, “No one knows who funds our presidents.” This troubling opacity, he argued, erodes democratic integrity.
Mr. Nsarkoh expressed frustration over the inability to ascertain the financial backing of political candidates, saying, “We don’t know how much the sitting president spent on his campaign. We don’t know how much his main opponent spent either.” He pointed out that in other democracies, such basic financial data about campaign contributions is public knowledge.
He lambasted the idea of a “Santa Claus democracy,” where elections are swayed by untraceable funds, turning governance into a transactional system. “It’s a public auction for the highest bidder,” he stated. He emphasized that this process diminishes the electorate from being active participants to mere voters.
Mr. Nsarkoh’s remarks followed his lecture titled “Iniquities of Iniquity in Our Santa Claus Democracy” at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, where he critiqued Ghana’s democratic evolution, referencing political scientist Claude Ake’s observations about tentative reforms in the early 1990s. “But the substance? That’s where we’ve failed,” he lamented.
He reinforced that the absence of organized political financing frameworks nurtures a corrupt ecosystem, stating, “There are no real frameworks to track political fund flows. That’s why I say this is the root of all evil.” He warned of grave implications should such trends continue, calling attention to potential manipulation by powerful figures.
“If you and I are in the drug trade, we can carry sacks of money and fund people who will become powerful actors,” Mr. Nsarkoh explained. He cautioned about the spread of corruption that could arise from such scenarios, regardless of who wins an election.
Notably, he stressed that these issues transcend Ghana, characterizing them as systemic flaws prevalent across the continent. “Instead of confronting the design issues, we personalise the debate,” he critiqued, advocating for a systemic overhaul after decades of ineffective governance.
Mr. Nsarkoh issued a call to action, urging media and citizens to hold leaders accountable. “You probably have more access than I. But even you, can you tell me where the money came from?” he challenged the host.
He ultimately argued that democracy devoid of transparency diminishes its value. “If we can’t trace money in politics, then our democracy is not a tool for development. It’s a mechanism for elite enrichment,” he concluded, reiterating the urgent need for reform in political financing in Ghana.
In summary, Yaw Nsarkoh’s critical analysis of Ghana’s political financing highlights significant gaps in transparency that undermine democratic processes. His points on the transactional nature of elections and the urgent need for accountability resonate with broader issues seen throughout the continent. The call for better frameworks and media scrutiny underscores the importance of transparency in sustaining a functional democracy.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
