Delegate system skews power towards wealthy political aspirants - Prof H.K Prempeh

Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), criticized the delegate system used by Ghana's major political parties in an interview on Woezor TV on Sunday, August 2. He argued that it concentrates power in the hands of wealthy aspirants while sidelining young people, women, and other less financially endowed party members. He stated, "So there was a sense that the delegate system… had essentially skewed power in the party in favour of those who were better resourced financially."

Prof. Prempeh explained that limiting the number of people who choose party candidates has effectively skewed power towards aspirants with greater financial resources, creating barriers for young professionals, women, and the youth. He contended that the system has encouraged vote-buying and corruption because delegates are relatively few and therefore easier to influence. CDD-Ghana gathered evidence through its observation of party primaries, coupled with widely reported incidents during internal elections, showing that delegates received cash, commodities, and other inducements from aspirants.