By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), March 13, GNA – Ms Brigitte Dzogbenuku, the 2024 Presidential Candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), has highlighted the difficulties women face in raising campaign funds, describing the process as challenging and, at times, risky.
Sharing her experiences at the CDD-Ghana Volta Regional Forum at Ho, on the Draft Campaign and Political Financing Bill, Ms Dzogbenuku said female candidates often encountered inappropriate demands from some individuals who offered financial support for political campaigns.
She said although campaigning required substantial financial resources, women were frequently placed in compromising situations while seeking funding.
“As a woman, raising money for campaigns, it is extremely difficult because not everyone is willing to offer support without expecting something in return,” she said.
Ms Dzogbenuku explained that some of the expectations attached to such financial offers could begin with seemingly harmless requests, such as meeting over dinner, but could escalate to inappropriate sexual demands.
“If you ask many women parliamentary candidates, they will confirm that such situations occur. It affects women who genuinely want to make a difference in politics,” she said.
She said such experiences discouraged many capable women from contesting political positions, particularly those married or had families, since accepting such offers could compromise their personal integrity and family life.
Ms Dzogbenuku emphasised that the absence of effective regulation of campaign financing could further disadvantage minority political parties.
“If campaign financing is not properly regulated, minority parties will suffer greatly. In fact, it could mean the end for some of us because running a campaign without money is nearly impossible,” she said.
She also criticised the increasing influence of money in politics, warning that individuals with financial resources but lacking strong values were gaining prominence in political leadership.
“We are seeing people with money but without the right values taking leadership positions, and that has consequences for the direction of our country,” she stated.
Ms Dzogbenuku added that women and persons living with disabilities were among the groups most disadvantaged under the current political financing system.
She expressed concern about the expectations of some voters who demanded money before casting their votes, stressing the need for sustained civic education.
“Some voters still believe they must receive money before voting. At times, our campaigns turn into civic education efforts where we explain that accepting money for votes is like selling four years of your development for a small amount,” she said.
Ms Dzogbenuku therefore called for stronger regulation of campaign financing and intensified voter education to promote transparency, fairness, and broader participation in Ghana’s democratic process.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo