Former MP for Wenchi West, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has disclosed that there is some illicit funding of political parties and candidates in the country during election period.

Speaking on JoyNews, not on behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which he is General Secretary, Mr Nketia noted that although this is the trend, some candidates are oblivious to the source of funding.

Interacting with Newsfile host, Samson Lardy Anyenini on Saturday, he said: “From the research I did, it became clear there is some illicit funding of political parties and candidates. It also emerged that those who want to fund political parties with illicit business do not disclose to the political parties or candidate their source of funding.

If you are a candidate and you are in financial distress and you have somebody coming up saying that well I believe in your vision so I want to fund you this much, without telling you the source of income, it is most unlikely for that distressed candidate to be asking where the monies are coming from.”

According to Mr Asiedu Nketia, political parties become aware of the illicit source of funding after their financiers make demands following the elections.

For the astute politician, Ghana’s lagging progress in its fight against corruption is as a result of this phenomenon.

“We should not hide our heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich that all is well. Political funding is a major root cause of corruption. The earlier we expose and confront it, the better it will be for our democracy.”

Mr Asiedu Nketia stated that Ghana’s democracy will be heading towards doom should the issue of illicit funding of political parties and candidates not addressed.

He backed his assertion with the fast pace with which corruption has permeated into the country’s internal and general elections since 1992.

“In every passing election, the system becomes more monetized. That is why I am scared that unless we as a country find a way of pulling the break, our democracy will be heading towards doom.

In 1992, you wouldn’t hear about camping of delegates and giving money and so on. We’ve now gotten pass that and it appears that camping of delegates and giving them envelopes has become a norm and people are openly discussing these things on air.

To the extent that those who give envelopes and they end up not being voted for come openly to demand back their money. The situation is getting out of hand,” he explained.

He, therefore, suggested that “we must first define what is allowed as legitimate activity for soliciting of votes.”

His comments come after a study by the Centre for Democratic Development Ghana (CDD) revealed that nine individuals allegedly engaged in illicit activities funded some political parties in the 2020 elections.