Mills committed to state funding for political parties

The Deputy Local Government Minister, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah has given the assurance that the president remains committed to proposals for state funding for political parties.

Mr. Ankrah’s assurances come in the wake of appeals by IPAC to President J.E.A. Mills to start the processes to ensure the proposed political parties support fund is established this year.

The Inter-Party Advisory Committee wants a seven member committee to be set under the leadership of the Electoral Commission to manage the fund.

The proposals were contained in an eight-point communiqué issued by all political parties at the end of a two-day meeting at Akosombo.

Mr. Kwesi Badu Afriyie of CAB Consult, facilitators of the meeting, told Joy News it was resolved that all participating political parties in last year’s elections should be considered for support.

Some of the smaller parties were incensed by suggestions that state support should be limited to parties that obtain at least one per cent in the last general elections.

Mr Badu Afriyie said it was agreed at the meeting that smaller parties will have a representative on the seven member committee to manage the fund.

The main opposition party, the ruling party, the Attorney-General and Accountant General’s department will all have a representative each on the committee.