Service Progressive Alliance Calls for Primary Election Reforms in Ghana

The Service Progressive Alliance (SPA) has urged the government and political stakeholders to consider reforms in Ghana’s primary election system following the recent formation of a three-member committee by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to investigate vote-buying allegations against Honorable Baba Jamal during the Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries.

The SPA commended the immediate recall of Baba Jamal from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria pending the outcome of the investigation, describing it as a step in the right direction under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama. According to the SPA, this action reflects the NDC’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the democratic process.

However, the SPA stressed that the vote-buying phenomenon is not limited to isolated cases but has become a recurring issue in Ghana’s electoral politics. The alliance argued that the current delegate system, which gives a small group of delegates significant influence over the selection of parliamentary candidates, creates a fertile ground for corruption and undue influence, undermining the integrity of Ghana’s democracy.

Nana Otupiri Darko, General Secretary of SPA, noted, “For political parties to condemn vote-buying while benefiting from the delegate system in secret is contradictory. Any meaningful reform must address the root cause of the problem—the system itself.”

The SPA proposed that Ghana move toward a more inclusive primary election process, allowing all eligible voters in a constituency, regardless of political affiliation, to participate in the selection of candidates. The alliance believes this approach would reduce the influence of money and party leadership on election outcomes, increase transparency and accountability, and ensure that candidates are truly representative of the people they seek to serve.

“Reforming the primary election system has the potential to revitalize our democracy, promote good governance, and restore public trust in the electoral process,” SPA emphasized. The alliance urged the government to consider amending the Political Parties Act (ACT 574) to empower constituents to choose their preferred parliamentary candidates, rather than leaving the decision to a small group of party delegates.

The SPA concluded by highlighting the importance of inclusive participation in Ghanaian democracy and called on political parties, government institutions, and civil society stakeholders to work collaboratively to implement these reforms.

“Together, we can build a brighter future for Ghana, where the will of the people is truly reflected in the leadership of our country,” the SPA statement read.

Contact:Nana Otupiri DarkoGeneral Secretary, Service Progressive AllianceTel: 0206500604 / 0248833353

Source: Thepressradio.com