Surely, it takes money to run any Political campaign. But any irresponsible infusion of money into Politics must be dissuaded. Any excessive spending by a Politician must be expected to yield him or her a multifold reward, of ... read full comment
Surely, it takes money to run any Political campaign. But any irresponsible infusion of money into Politics must be dissuaded. Any excessive spending by a Politician must be expected to yield him or her a multifold reward, often illicitly, should that Politician win his position. Money misused to unduly influence a political outcome always has long term negative repercussions on the Society. That is what the MP was alluding to.
It isn't long ago since the US Supreme Court ruled to dampen all hopes of curtailing money infusion into US Political Campaigns, resulting in an almost frozen Congress where 'Compromise' has since become a dirty word.
We should take lessons in the US experience where the case is still unfolding that a few very wealthy Republican Supporters and Businessmen are said to have pumped hundreds of Millions of dollars into the Tea Party and Republican Party to derail anything that President Obama intends doing, and thus, ensuring almost perpetual unproductivity in the august Legislature. Many believe Legislators in the two Parties have been receiving donations from these rich folks through Political action entities to stop voting for anything that would allow the President or Democrats share in any success at governance.
So, too much money in Politics must be not be encouraged in Ghana. If there is any indication that someone is trying to win a Political position that he or she might not necessarily be worthy of, we must reject him. And anyone who knows he or she does not attract the electorate on merits should not try to buy votes, no matter how wealthy he or she is. Money corrupts Politics. Period!
It is the principle of having the electorate vote on merits, and not on sheer financial wellbeing of candidates, that the MP Kwame Osei-Prempeh was advocating for.
Please, do not misconstrue that to mean he does not approve of someone spending sensible amount of money to promote his or her political goals. That distinction is imperative.
I also disagree with the Prof.'s view that all wealthy people, especially in Ghana, got their wealth through hard work. Come on, Prof.! Many of our wealthy prominent Citizens either inherited their wealth from family members or gained from cronyism and nepotism. Our system has long allowed a few Citizens to participate in competitive Capital Market. Even one has to know someone higher up, or buy his or her way, to access Import Licence, if that person intends to be an Import-Export Business person. Many of our leading Politicians have led lucrative State Contracts to relatives and friends who do not have any financial standing of their own to bid on those projects that make them Millionaires overnight. We have not forgotten the Kwamena Bartels-and-family case.
There are questions on how Chief Kufour, the former President's son, became so wealthy in a short period of relocating to Ghana. Assuming that nothing illegal was involved in Chief's acquisition of wealth, it is most probable that his father, the President might have helped him become rich. Where is the dint of hard work there, then?
I am not against inheriting wealth, at all. But we must not be fooled into thinking all our wealthy Citizens became rich through their own hard work. Many people have worked hard all their lives and still remain poor, not because of mismanagement, but because they are shut off from the activities and opportunities that can make them rich.
Long Live Ghana!!!
Pressman 10 years ago
As matter of fact, Osei-Prempeh is one of those of our folks who had perfected the use of money to secure an office. This time around he was only paid in his own coins. Osei-Prempeh always, always outwitted his main opponent, ... read full comment
As matter of fact, Osei-Prempeh is one of those of our folks who had perfected the use of money to secure an office. This time around he was only paid in his own coins. Osei-Prempeh always, always outwitted his main opponent, PANCHO of New York in Kwamang-Beposo-Nsuta NPP parliamentary primaries with considerable cash (Money)dash to the delegates for their votes.
John Nkrumah 10 years ago
Ahoofe,
Unlike Hackman Wontumi only rented the office building for use by the Party. Hackman gave the building away.
Ahoofe,
Unlike Hackman Wontumi only rented the office building for use by the Party. Hackman gave the building away.
Jake the bungalow thief will lose.
Surely, it takes money to run any Political campaign. But any irresponsible infusion of money into Politics must be dissuaded. Any excessive spending by a Politician must be expected to yield him or her a multifold reward, of ...
read full comment
As matter of fact, Osei-Prempeh is one of those of our folks who had perfected the use of money to secure an office. This time around he was only paid in his own coins. Osei-Prempeh always, always outwitted his main opponent, ...
read full comment
Ahoofe,
Unlike Hackman Wontumi only rented the office building for use by the Party. Hackman gave the building away.