The Executive Director of the Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA), Michael Mensah, has criticised the Electoral Commission (EC), accusing it of inadequate oversight of political processes, particularly around campaign conduct and political financing.
Speaking on EIB Election Hub on GHOne TV on Saturday, January 31, Mensah stressed that cultural justifications should not be used to excuse practices that could undermine democratic processes.
“Culture is not static; it must evolve over time,” he said, noting that certain practices once considered cultural; such as beheading and female genital mutilation; have been rejected because societies recognised them as harmful. He cautioned against using culture to justify questionable political practices.
Mensah also raised concerns about inclusivity within the party, referencing the long-standing perception of the NPP as an “Akan party.” He said:
“For a very long time in the history of the NPP, people have called the NPP an Akan party… I mean, everybody knows that NPP is an Akan party. And for me, just as Mussa Dankwah has said, this is the time for the NPP to portray its national image and its national character. To say that the NPP transcends beyond ethnic group and represent all other major and minor ethnic groups… If NPP wants to develop and grow, have that kind of natural representation just as the NDC, then they need to forego this kind of rhetoric and make the party appealing to each and everyone in the country, whether you are from a minority group or a majority group.”
READ: NPP Primaries: Without Bawumia, NPP’s support in the North collapses – Mussa Dankwah
He cautioned against narratives suggesting that former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s Muslim faith makes him “unattractive” to Ghanaians, describing such rhetoric as “very dangerous.” Mensah said the party must prioritise national appeal over divisive messaging.
Drawing comparisons with political financing in developed democracies, Mensah noted that while politicians require funding to operate, other countries have laws to streamline, regulate, and audit political contributions. He contrasted this with Ghana, where political parties often do not declare their financial statements, describing the situation as evidence that the country is “not doing the right things.”
He placed responsibility squarely on the Electoral Commission to enforce standards, noting that recent developments suggest the EC is falling short of expectations. “The Commission should be setting clear standards and enforcing them. There are practical steps that could streamline electoral and political financing processes, but these measures are not being implemented effectively,” he said.
The comments come as the NPP conducts its flagbearer election ahead of the 2028 general elections. An estimated 211,000 delegates were expected to vote across more than 300 polling centres nationwide, and voting has officially been closed.
The race features five aspirants: former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong; Abetifi MP and former Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Bryan Acheampong; former Minister for Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum; and former NPP General Secretary and Presidential Press Secretary Kwabena Agyepong.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Abigail Boatemaa Baah
