Samuel Appiah Darko, Director of Strategy, Research, and Communication at the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), has proposed the formation of an independent committee to audit political party financing in Ghana. He believes this move will help improve transparency and ensure accountability in the country鈥檚 elections.
Mr. Darko shared this idea on Friday, June 27, at a campaign finance transparency conference held in Accra by Transparency International Ghana. He emphasized the need to reduce the high cost of participating in politics, which he said discourages capable individuals from running for office.
He also expressed concern over the Electoral Commission鈥檚 current role, which combines being both a referee and a regulator. According to him, this dual responsibility weakens public confidence and limits proper oversight of political funding.
He recommended that Ghana consider creating an independent political audit committee similar to what Norway has. 鈥淪uch a body could function independently from the Electoral Commission and include officials from the Audit Service, the OSP, and the judiciary, with leadership from a judge,鈥 Mr. Darko suggested. He further noted that the committee would use existing institutions and resources but have its own budget to ensure efficiency.
This proposal aligns with wider efforts to reform electoral processes and reduce the negative impact of money on Ghana鈥檚 democratic system.