Two Ghana’s Anti-Corruption MPs Lose Seats, but Chairman Retains

Two anti-corruption parliamentarians of the Ghana Chapter of the Africa Parliamentarian Network against Corruption (APNAC) have lost their seats in their inter-party parliamentary primaries ahead of the next year’s national general elections.

The duo, Hon Albert Akuka Alalzuuga, MP for Garu in the Upper East Region and Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah of the Amenfi-Central in the Western Region lost their seats to new entrances.

The two anti-graft MPs, who are serving their second term in Ghana’s Parliament, lost their seats at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries conducted on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

At the end of the internal polls, Albert Akuka, a member of the Local Government and Rural Development sub-Committee of Parliament, obtained 160 votes, losing the seat to a renowned medical Doctor, Dr Thomas Anaba with 250 votes.

**Hon Albert Akuka and Hon Peter Kwakye-Ackah**

Similarly, Peter Kwakye-Ackah who is also a member of the Public Accounts and Education Committees of Parliament obtained 575 votes, losing the seat to another new entrance, Madam Joana Gyan Cudjoe with 747 votes.

However, Chairman of the Ghana Chapter and Board member of APNAC Africa, Hon Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah pulled 627 votes to cling onto the Ho West Constituency seat against his close contender, Sammy Danku, who managed to get 281 votes.

With the cases of about four other anti-graft MPs to be heard in the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ghanaians and crusaders of against corruption will be watching closely to see what implications there will be for the makeup parliament, and the APNAC itself.

It was unclear if voters were induced with money at the NDC internal parliamentary primaries, that cost the anti-graft MPs of their seats, as some candidates were seen openly spreading cash and other items to voters.

Afro-barometer, an anti-corruption organization and other election observers in Ghana recently released a report on previous polls, in which they cited instances of money politics, a canker they noted is endemic in major political parties in Ghana and across the Africa continent.

Monetization in politics has taken centre stage in the Africa continent and the highest bidder or persons with bags of cash are either elected into the legislative house or assume the presidency.

The May 13, parliamentary primaries of the NDC witnessed over 15 incumbent MPs losing their seats, a situation local observers attributed to the monetization of politics against vision for development and institutional improvement.

Corruption is said to be one of the major setbacks to Africa’s progress as it undermines the credibility of the public sector, and erodes trust in government and their ability to steer to achieve high economic growth and shared prosperity.

Members of Ghana’s Chapter of APNAC include Hon Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, MP Ho West, Hon Dr. Emmanuel Marfo, MP for Oforikrom, Hon Kofi Okyere Agyekum, MP for Fanteakwa South, Hon Morris Elvis Donkor, MP forAsebu/Abura/Kwamankese, Hon Albert Akuka Alalzuuga, MP for Garu and Hon Peter Kwakye-Ackah, MP for Amenfi Central.

APNAC is an anti-graft organization aimed at coordinating, involving and strengthening the capacities of African parliamentarians to fight corruption and promote good governance.

It was formally formed in 1999 in Kampala, Uganda, to among of others promote accountability, transparency, and public participation in the processes of government, as the best ways to control corruption.

Its membership is drawn mostly from the elected representatives of the people known commonly as Members of Parliament.

The objectives of APNAC are to build the capacity of parliamentarians to exercise oversight roles, especially on financial matters.

It is also aimed to share information on best anti-corruption strategies and practices, promote projects to control corruption based on best practices and as well cooperate with other organizations and civil society members with shared objectives.