Across the subregion, the rising cost of politics is reshaping the struggle for power. Studies show that in Ghana, contesting a parliamentary seat can cost a candidate over one hundred thousand dollars—an amount far beyond the reach of most citizens.

From Nigeria to Sierra Leone, money has become the gatekeeper of who gets elected, raising deep concerns about equity, accountability, and the very future of our democratic systems.

In today’s edition of Citizens’ Hour, we ask a pressing question for the sustainability of the region’s democracy: Is West Africa’s democracy slowly turning into moneyocracy? In terms of elections, justice delivery and fundamental freedoms.

To help us unpack this, we’re joined by distinguished voices, Hon Dickson Adomako Kissi, former Member of Parliament in Ghana. Mussa Dankwah, Executive Director, Global Info Analytics, Justice Abdulai, Senior Lawyer & Head of Chambers of Crown Legal Bureau and a Lecturer with the UPSA Law School and Anderson Miamen, Executive Director, center of Transparency and accountability in Liberia

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