NGOs disapproves of Political Parties Fund

Accra, March 19, GNA - The Network of Associations of Registered NGOs in Ghana has disapproved of the proposed Political Parties Fund, saying there should be more public debate to adopt a viable alternative. Mr Kofi Lucas, President of the Network told the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday in Accra that funding political parties would give room for politicians to relax, instead of being innovative and hardworking to win elections.

He said the idea lacked proper consultation from political party activists at the constituency and polling station levels. Mr Lucas recommended the setting up of a Democratic and Good Governance Fund instead that would build the capacity of Unit Committees to enable them engage citizens in governance processes at the grassroots level.

"Creating a Governance Fund to support decentralisation will be more acceptable to Ghanaians and there will be no problem supporting the idea with the oil Fund or the 2.5 percent tax base," he added. He said the National Communication Authority should make it a policy for all radio and television stations to allocate at least two hours free airtime to political parties. According to Mr Lucas, the airtime would provide political parties the equal platform to educate the public on their manifestoes and intended policies for the economy so that electorates could make informed decisions.

He said with a better media platform, political parties could sell their ideas to gain more membership who would then willingly support their campaigns financially if only the parties would be transparent and accountable.