Ghana Elections Cash Handouts Patronage Overshadow Policy Debates
In recent comments, Ghana elections cash handouts patronage has been identified as increasingly dominating the political landscape, with money and handouts taking precedence over ideas and competence. Dr. Dominic Ayine, Attorney General and MP for Bolgatanga East, argued that electoral contests are now driven more by financial inducements than by substantive discussion on governance or policy direction.
Dr. Ayine noted that voters often seem more interested in what candidates can give them immediately rather than the long-term vision they offer. This shift, he warns, risks weakening democratic accountability as campaigns focus less on solutions and more on meeting cash expectations at rallies and public events.
Speaking on Accra-based Starr FM’s Starr Chat, Dr. Ayine revealed he spent between GHS 3 million and GHS 4 million on his 2024 parliamentary bid, with a large portion going toward transport and “water money” distributions at gatherings — a practice he felt compelled to adopt despite his reservations.
While acknowledging the norm of monetary giveaways, he emphasized that he tries to prioritise sustainable community projects over cash handouts, ensuring longer-term benefits for his constituents.
Concerns about rising campaign costs and the increasing role of cash in politics have also been echoed by civil society groups, with estimates suggesting that mounting a competitive presidential campaign now requires tens of millions of dollars — further reinforcing the dominant role of funding over policy focus.
