$6.4 Million Project Initiative Launched for ‘Political Accountability Activity’ in Accra
An ambitious project aimed at bolstering transparency and accountability within Ghana’s political system was officially unveiled in Accra yesterday. Valued at $6.4 million, this groundbreaking initiative, titled the “Political Accountability Activity,” will tackle various aspects, including electoral reforms, the enhancement of political decentralization, the advancement of inclusive governance, and the promotion of peaceful norms.
Crucially, the project will forge collaborative partnerships with independent government agencies and civil society organizations to strengthen campaign finance regulations and counteract electoral violence.
The project’s successful execution is expected to empower political parties and the Electoral Commission (EC) to enforce electoral laws diligently and foster a culture of peaceful and tolerant political practices. Funding for this ambitious four-year endeavor is provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with implementation entrusted to three distinguished organizations: the International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and the International Federation for Electoral Systems (IFES), all of which operate under the consortium of elections and political process strengthening (CEPPS).
CEPPS, a collective of non-governmental organizations dedicated to advancing and supporting democratic principles worldwide, underscores the global significance of this project.
Scott Mastic, Vice-President of Programmes at IRI, emphasized that the upcoming district-level elections and the 2024 general election present a pivotal opportunity to build upon Ghana’s democratic achievements. He noted that this initiative reinforces Ghana’s standing in the sub-region as a beacon of democracy, particularly amid recent political turbulence and escalating regional instability.
Kimberly Rosen, USAID Mission Director, highlighted the profound impact of accountable governance on people’s quality of life, including the delivery of essential services in areas such as healthcare, basic education, agriculture, and fisheries. She stressed the importance of educating and involving young people in the defense of democratic governance, especially as democracy faces challenges worldwide.
Project Overview
Key representatives of the three implementing institutions—Sunday Alao, Resident Programme Director of IRI Ghana; Gilbert Sam, Senior Election Specialist at IFES Ghana; and Alex Bailey, Senior Programme Manager for Central and West Africa at NDI—provided comprehensive overviews of the project’s objectives and the roles each organization will play.
Ultimately, the project aims to make elected politicians more accountable to citizens, ensuring that a greater number of people benefit from government programs and participate in democratic decision-making processes. Furthermore, it seeks to empower citizens to demand improved political accountability, promote inclusivity within the political system for marginalized groups like Persons with Disabilities, women, and youth, and support civil society organizations in advocating for electoral reforms that enhance responsiveness to the needs of the citizenry.
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Support and Commitment
Representatives from prominent organizations expressed their unwavering commitment to the successful implementation of the project. Michael Boadu, Director of Training at the EC, Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), George Amoh, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council, and Daniel Armah-Attoh, Research Manager at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), all pledged their support.
The event was attended by notable figures such as former National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Peter Mac Manu, and the founder and leader of the Ghana Freedom Party, Akua Donkor.