The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has sounded a warning that democracy across Africa is “backsliding” under the weight of money‑driven politics.
Delivering remarks at the High‑Level Regional Convening on the Financialisation of Politics in Africa, held at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, the Speaker cautioned that when money becomes the primary measure of political success, public office ceases to be a “public trust” and instead becomes “an investment to be recovered.” He lamented that opaque campaign financing, vote buying, and state capture are eroding public trust and alienating citizens from the democratic process.
Bagbin described the situation as a crisis of democratic integrity requiring urgent, practical solutions. He highlighted Ghana’s pivotal role in securing the adoption of UN Resolution 11/7 at the Conference of State Parties (CoSP 11) in Doha in December 2025. Co‑sponsored with Norway and Mongolia, the resolution demands transparency in the funding of political parties, candidates, and election campaigns. He praised Ambassador Matilda Osei‑Agyeman for her diplomatic leadership, noting that the resolution marked a historic milestone in the global fight against corruption.
The Speaker announced major institutional reforms under his leadership, including the establishment of a Legal and Governance Services Division with dedicated departments for Anti‑Corruption, Investigations, and Human Rights. He also unveiled a new Ethics and Standards Committee supported by an independent Commissioner.
As President of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) and Vice President of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), Bagbin challenged fellow legislators to lead the charge in restoring fairness, transparency, and public confidence. “Strengthening integrity in political finance is not just an anti‑corruption objective—it is a democratic imperative,” he declared.
He concluded with a call for African nations to collaborate through peer learning, stressing that while no country has all the answers, collective action can save democracy from decline.
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