Legal loopholes hinder transparency in political party financing, EOCO official asserts
Leo Antony Siamah, Deputy Head of Legal and Prosecution at the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), has raised concerns over existing legal loopholes in Ghana’s electoral financing framework.
Speaking at the NorvanReports and Economic Governance Platform X Space discussion titled “Safeguarding Ghana’s Stability Against Serious Organised Crime Threats,” Mr Siamah emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive reforms.
Electoral Financing Challenges
Act 574 mandates political parties to disclose all funding sources, providing a critical avenue for tracing the origin of funds to determine their legitimacy.
However, Mr Siamah highlighted the difficulties faced by EOCO in investigating parties beyond the contributions declared to the Electoral Commission (EC).
He pointed to loopholes in existing laws that lack clear regulations on capping contributions from organizations or individuals, leading to potential dual donations.
“The laws allow a citizen or firm that is majority owned by a Ghanian to donate to political parties, and so you have an issue where the individual can donate and also donate with his company thereby donating twice which is a problem,” he quipped.
Rising Organized Crime Threats
While EOCO struggles with data inadequacies linking specific organized crime activities to political parties, Mr Siamah revealed alarming trends in organized crime. Notably, there has been a significant surge in illegal migration, including human trafficking from neighboring countries.
Additionally, Ghana has witnessed a rise in MoMo fraud, drug trafficking, illegal mining, and cryptocurrency holdings for organized crime activities.
Mr Siamah further highlighted Ghana’s growing reputation as a hub for drug trafficking, indicating a concerning shift in criminal activities. Despite the absence of precise statistics linking these crimes directly to political financing, the noticeable uptick suggests a broader nexus.
Challenges in Law Enforcement
Speaking further on the X Space discussion, Mr Siamah underscored the lengthy timelines involved in investigating and prosecuting illegal financing of political parties.
Investigations, he noted, can span up to two years, with court prosecutions extending up to four years, highlighting the urgency for swifter law enforcement actions. He therefore emphasized the need for national unity and concerted efforts to address these challenges effectively.
As Ghana approaches the 2024 elections, safeguarding the country’s stability against serious organized crime threats remains a paramount concern that demands immediate attention and comprehensive reforms.
