The high degree of political monetization in the nation has been lamented by Speaker of the House Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.
He clarified that because of this circumstance, Ghana's democracy has been dubbed a "monecracy" by certain writers.
"Conscience may be bought. Honesty and truth are in short supply. He claimed that the biggest bidder wins in open auctions, which has reduced elections to a farce.
Mr. Bagbin claimed there was widespread and impune disrespect for law and order in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
"Vigilantism, gangsterism, and the use of hoodlums are gradually becoming the norm of competitive politics," he continued.
Mr. Bagbin asserted that Ghana's democratic decline was stark and obvious and questioned whether the Fourth Republic was indeed coming to an end.
He asserted that the circumstances ought to serve as a wake-up call for the political leaders to act as the leaders they had represented themselves to be.
"This calls for credible, honest, and patriotic leaders not only in politics but also in all facets of our lives," he stated.
He claimed there were signs that the public was losing faith in democratic administration.
"Ghanaians are losing faith in the political class and national leadership in general. Ghanaians' sense of patriotism and dedication to the country's cause is dwindling.
There is a genuine concern over whether the interests and worries of the voters and the general public, the people who the politicians are meant to represent, are taken into account in the administration of national matters, he added.
fresh regulations
According to Mr. Bagbin, the Office of the Speaker is collaborating with a number of civil society organisations to develop new laws that would address the corruption and monetization of the nation's political system.
He said that it was time to put an end to the practise of having the highest bidder win political elections at all levels.
When such legislation is proposed and passed, he emphasised, "I hope all political leaders are ready and willing."
He offered, as an example, the proportional representation election that took place in Rwanda, adding that, depending on the circumstances, political parties elected or selected people who could best articulate the party's vision and ideals rather than those of an individual.
If this occurs, he continued, "then we would be moving forward to combat monetization and corruption in our politics."
That, according to Mr. Bagbin, would force political leaders to concentrate on problems rather than trying to recuperate any expenses related to the process of getting elected.
Second Republic
According to him, the original popular majoritarian legislature had changed into a hung legislature with equal representation, led by a non-member Speaker whose party was not in power.
He said that the five active parties in the multi-party parliament had split into a duopoly of two big parties.
The curse of instability has, in principle, been broken, and Ghana has become a haven of free, fair, and credible elections with praiseworthy democratic transfers from a party in power.
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