Money Is Killing African Democracy- Bagbin Warns

Accra- The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has warned that democracy across Africa is facing a serious threat as the growing influence of money in politics continues to undermine public trust, weaken democratic institutions and distort governance.

Delivering a keynote address at the High-Level Regional Convening on the Financialisation of Politics in Africa in Accra, the Speaker said the increasing monetisation of political processes has transformed public office from a position of service into an avenue for personal financial recovery, thereby eroding the core principles of democratic governance. According to him, democracy cannot flourish when financial power determines political success, arguing that the excessive influence of money has created an environment where opaque campaign financing, vote buying and state capture are becoming entrenched features of the political landscape.

He cautioned that when political office is viewed as an investment rather than a public trust, citizens lose confidence in democratic institutions, participation declines and accountability suffers. He described the situation as a crisis of democratic integrity that demands immediate and practical interventions rather than continued discussion without implementation. The Speaker emphasised that safeguarding democracy requires transparent political financing systems, stronger accountability mechanisms and institutions capable of preventing undue financial influence over elections and governance.

Highlighting Ghana’s contribution to global anti-corruption efforts, Bagbin noted that the country played a leading role in securing the adoption of United Nations Resolution 11/7 during the Eleventh Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption held in Doha, Qatar, in December 2025. He explained that the resolution, co-sponsored by Ghana, Norway and Mongolia, calls for greater transparency in the financing of political parties, election campaigns and political candidates, describing it as a significant milestone in strengthening integrity within democratic systems worldwide.

The Speaker commended Ghana’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Matilda Osei-Agyeman, for her leadership and diplomatic efforts that contributed to the successful adoption of the resolution, saying the achievement reflected Ghana’s commitment to promoting transparency and accountability on the global stage. While describing the resolution as a landmark achievement, he stressed that its true value would depend on the willingness of individual countries to translate the international commitment into effective national legislation, robust oversight institutions and enforceable regulatory frameworks.

Mr. Bagbin further outlined a series of institutional reforms being implemented within Parliament to strengthen accountability, ethical governance and the fight against corruption. Among the reforms, he announced the establishment of a Legal and Governance Services Division comprising specialised departments responsible for Anti-Corruption, Investigations and Human Rights. He also disclosed the creation of a new Ethics and Standards Committee, which will be supported by an independent Commissioner to promote ethical conduct and institutional integrity within Parliament.

The Speaker said these reforms are intended to reinforce Parliament’s oversight role while enhancing public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.

Drawing on his responsibilities as President of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) and Vice President of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), Mr. Bagbin called on legislators across the continent to assume greater responsibility in protecting democracy from the corrosive effects of money in politics. He challenged parliamentarians to champion reforms that promote fairness, transparency and accountability in political financing, urging them to continually examine whether existing political systems inspire public confidence and provide equal opportunities for political participation.

Concluding his address, the Speaker described integrity in political finance as fundamental to the survival of democracy, stressing that the fight against corruption extends beyond law enforcement to the preservation of democratic governance itself.

He called on African countries to deepen regional cooperation through the exchange of experiences, best practices and peer learning, noting that while no single country possesses all the solutions, collective action offers the strongest path towards safeguarding democracy and restoring public confidence in political institutions.

Source: Parliament of Ghana
By: Joyce Owusu