A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Darkwah, has attributed the growing monetisation of politics in Ghana to what he describes as cultural, institutional and character problems.
According to him, the increasing influence of money in elections has created a situation where individuals with financial resources can use their wealth to influence electoral outcomes.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s Nkosuo Nsem, hosted by Kofi Sekyi, Sammy Darkwah said the challenge goes beyond political parties and reflects deeper issues within Ghanaian society and its institutions.
His comments come on the back of remarks by the National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who has criticised the delegates system used in political party primaries.
Speaking on Onua TV’s Maakye on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Asiedu Nketia said the delegates system, although intended to make elections easier by allowing representatives to vote on behalf of a larger group, has in some cases failed to reflect the wishes of those they represent.
He argued that some delegates have prioritised their personal interests over the interests of the people who elected them, with some allegedly influenced by what they stand to gain from the process.
Asiedu Nketia said this had contributed to a situation where some internal party elections had become an “auction” for the highest bidder, rather than a contest based on competence, experience and the ability of candidates.
He explained that this perceived betrayal of the mandate given to delegates was among the reasons some individuals challenged the delegates system in court.
His comments followed the Supreme Court’s recent ruling directing the phasing out of the delegates system in political party primaries.
Reacting to the broader issue of money in politics, Sammy Darkwah maintained that tackling the monetisation of Ghanaian politics would require more than changes to the electoral system.
He said addressing the cultural attitudes, institutional weaknesses and character-related challenges that allow money to influence political decisions would be critical to restoring confidence in the country’s democratic processes.
He further stressed the need for political actors and citizens to promote a system where elections are determined by competence, credibility and ideas rather than financial influence.
By: Bernard Mensah
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