Majority, Minority to strike deal on political parties' funding

Accra (Greater Accra) 14 Dec. '99

The Minority group in Parliament on Monday won a compromise from the majority to dialogue on the framework for financing political parties after failing to secure a legislation on it.

An amendment to the Political Parties Bill in the name of Dr. Kofi Apraku, Minority Finance spokesman, seeking to set up a National Political Parties Fund, had to be withdrawn to make way for the compromise.

He said since the principle of the funding of political parties was not defeated by the house but that disagreements had generated from modalities for the fund, "another look will enrich it".

Dr Apraku expressed the hope that further consultations on the matter "will go a long way to satisfy both sides in our bid to strengthen the democratic process".

Extending the compromise hand, Dr Obed Asamoah, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said the present economic problems facing the country would not allow the government to make the necessary contributions to support the proposed fund.

He agreed that a more acceptable scheme could be considered in due course. He disagreed with the amendment proposal, which was to benefit "only parties that can secure five per cent of vote cast at the last parliamentary elections".

" This whole amendment is prone to abuse; we need to sit down and discuss matters in detail."

Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, NPP-Yendi, speaking for the amendment, called on the National Democratic Congress whose motto is "Always for people" Always for development" to support the setting up of the fund, because the people of Ghana are for the proposal.

He said every political party would one day need the assistance of the proposed fund and therefore it should not be seen as the cry of the minority for help.

Opposing it, Mr Moses Mabengba, NDC-Saboba, said the representation of political parties on the proposed panel of trustees for the fund was unrealistic.

Mr Evans Kodjo Ahorsey, NDC-Ayensuano, said politics is a form of business in which anybody wanting to take part should be prepared for its intrigues.

He said; "weak pockets will not win power" and therefore urged politicians to whip up their organizational skills to fit properly into the political game.

On a point of order, Paapa Owusu Ankomah, Minority Communications spokesman said it was not like the NPP was cash strapped and could therefore not take part in the next election without state funding.

Mr Modestus Ahiable, NDC, Ketu North, pointed out that the amendment proposal was "fine but the time is not ripe for it".

Mr Freddie Blay, Second Deputy Speaker, said "by such a fund, activities of political parties will become transparent.

"We all know that some money come to the parties from somewhere anyway but such a fund would help parties to account properly to all concerned."

Mr J.H. Mensah, Minority Leader, said the arguments presented by some of the majority members, suggested that the state has supported parties through allocation of free radio and Television air time.

The time has come for the institutionalization of the support and private business concerns and individuals should never be allowed to hold the political process to ransom by allowing them to fund the parties alone, he said.

GRi../