The Executive Director of the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Professor Henry Kwesi Prempeh, has expressed criticism towards the Electoral Commission (EC) for its insufficient vetting of presidential candidates for the upcoming 2024 elections.
In September 2024, the EC cleared 13 out of 24 applicants to contest in the December 7 elections. However, Prof. Prempeh believes that stricter scrutiny would have resulted in fewer candidates being approved.
Speaking at a public lecture in honour of the late Anthony Akoto Ampaw’s first anniversary, Prof. Prempeh questioned the recurring trend of numerous candidates, suggesting that many of them act as proxies for the two main political parties—NPP and NDC—to influence decision-making at the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).
“There are 13 or so people on the ballot, and I think if the Electoral Commission was more diligent and scrupulous, there would be fewer,” he said. He pointed out that many of these political parties do not meet the required standards but are allowed to participate to sway decisions at IPAC on behalf of either NPP or NDC.
Prof. Prempeh also criticised the leading political parties for failing to address Ghana’s ongoing economic crisis during their campaigns. Despite the country facing its first-ever sovereign debt default, IMF supervision, and domestic investment losses, he observed that campaign discussions remain focused on election promises rather than concrete solutions to the economic challenges.
He noted, “What you continue to hear are promises designed to win elections, not discussions on how to break the stranglehold of Eurobond debt or the habit of IMF recidivism.”
