Yaw Nsarkoh, ex-Unilever executive, critiques Ghana’s opaque political financing, claiming it undermines democracy. He likens the system to a ‘Santa Claus democracy,’ where campaign funds go untracked. Addressing systemic flaws, he calls for increased transparency and accountability in political funding to ensure true democratic engagement.
In a striking critique of Ghana’s political landscape, former Unilever Executive Vice President Yaw Nsarkoh has spotlighted a critical flaw in the country’s democracy: the lack of transparency in political financing. On JoyNews’ PM Express, he expressed his concerns candidly, stating, “No one knows who funds our presidents.” He voiced frustration over the public’s unawareness of campaign finances for both the incumbent and opposition candidates. Without such transparency, he argues, the democratic system falters.
Nsarkoh lamented that in other countries, such as the United States, campaign financing is a matter of public record, often broadcast for all to view. “Why don’t we know the same in Ghana?” he questioned, indicating a notable disparity. This lack of knowledge correlates with what he describes as a “Santa Claus democracy,” where elections have devolved into a process dominated by anonymous financial power, undermining voters’ engagement and the true essence of democracy.
Sharing insight from his recent lecture titled “Iniquities of Iniquity in Our Santa Claus Democracy” at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Nsarkoh referenced political scientist Claude Ake’s analysis. He asserted that Ghana’s transition to democracy in the early 1990s was half-hearted and superficial, just successful enough to create a façade, but lacking substantial grounding. He criticized the country’s governance for failing to establish proper frameworks to monitor political funding.
“The root of all evil,” he declared, lies in this absence of institutionalized political financing. Nsarkoh warned of the dire consequences, using an alarming analogy regarding potential corruption. “If you and I are in the drug trade,” he noted, “we can carry sacks of money and fund people who will become powerful actors.” He pointed out how these figures could manipulate appointments, allowing corruption to pervade the system. This issue, he believes, is not solely a Ghanaian one; it resonates throughout the African continent.
While acknowledging the importance of personal accountability in leadership, Nsarkoh emphasized the systemic flaws that persist. “Yes, personalities matter. Accountability matters,” he stated. However, he urged for recognition that the whole system is still broken after more than three decades. He encouraged journalists, civil society, and average citizens alike to demand clarity and accountability in political financing.
“You are the media guy,” he emphasized to the host, suggesting that journalists must dig deeper into funding sources. He believes true democracy necessitates transparency. Ultimately, he stated, “If we can’t trace money in politics, then our democracy is not a tool for development. It’s a mechanism for elite enrichment.”
Yaw Nsarkoh’s comments reveal significant concerns over the lack of transparency in political financing in Ghana, equating it to a systemic flaw that undermines democracy. He argues that without clear accountability and frameworks for campaign funding, elections morph into a transaction-based system, distorting democratic ideals. His call to action for civil society and the media underscores the urgency of reforming Ghana’s political financing to ensure a genuine and participatory democratic process.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
