Former Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai DCE Donates GH¢30,000 to Support NDC Branch Elections

Former Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai DCE Donates GH¢30,000 to Support NDC Branch Elections

Hon. Moses Kofi Armah, former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai under the late President John Evans Atta Mills administration, has donated GH¢30,000 to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to support the party's ongoing branch elections and strengthen its grassroots structures.

The financial contribution is aimed at assisting dedicated branch executives and party members who are eager to serve but often face financial constraints in carrying out their responsibilities. The donation will also help support the activities of constituency executives as they work to consolidate the party's base ahead of future political engagements.

Speaking in an interview with Lord FM morning show host Mr Kwame Kontor Boateng, Hon. Armah, a Ghanaian businessman based in the United States, underscored the need for political parties to rethink their fundraising strategies. According to him, excessive dependence on party dues and nomination fees is unsustainable and places unnecessary financial burdens on party members and aspirants.

He stressed that political parties must explore more innovative and inclusive means of raising funds to effectively execute their programmes and activities.

Hon. Armah further warned against the dangers associated with over-reliance on wealthy individuals and public office holders for party financing. He explained that when business magnates become the primary financiers of political parties, it can lead to state capture, where government decisions are influenced by private interests.

Similarly, he noted that allowing ministers, Members of Parliament, Chief Executives of State-Owned Enterprises, and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to dominate internal party financing could result in party capture, thereby undermining internal democracy and accountability.

He expressed concern over the growing cost of internal party elections in Ghana, describing the situation as alarming. Citing recent reports, Hon. Armah revealed that a parliamentary aspirant reportedly spent approximately $168,000 during a New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primary involving an electoral college of just 800 delegates. He also referenced estimates suggesting that a presidential aspirant once spent close to $100 million during an internal party contest.

According to him, such exorbitant expenditures pose a serious threat to Ghana's democratic development, as they discourage capable but less financially endowed individuals from participating in politics.

He called on political parties, particularly the NDC, to broaden their membership engagement strategies and adopt modern, sustainable funding models that go beyond traditional sources such as dues and nomination forms.

Hon. Armah also used the opportunity to urge members of the NDC to remain united and focused on the party's mission. He encouraged party faithful to continue working diligently to deliver development projects that will improve the lives of Ghanaians.

He further appealed to the party leadership and members to build on the mandate entrusted to them by the electorate and strive to deliver more meaningful results for the nation.

The donation has been widely welcomed by party members in the constituency, who described the gesture as timely and a demonstration of Hon. Armah's continued commitment to the growth and success of the NDC.

Source:Bibianinews.com/Kwame Kontor Boateng