The Politics of Primary Elections in Ghana a Study of the National

University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF GHANA COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES THE POLITICS OF PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN GHANA: A STUDY OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS’ PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES IN THE UPPER WEST REGION FROM 2003-2015 BY ARAH, LOBNIBE MATHEW (10020356) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSIYT OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF PH.D IN POLITICAL SCIENCE DEGREE. DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE JULY 2019 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I, Arah Lobnibe Mathew, declare that this thesis is the result of my original research, except for references to other works, which have been duly acknowledged. I am solely responsible for the authorship, errors or omissions that might appear in this thesis. I also declare that no part of this work has been published as part of the requirement for any degree in any university. I hereby declare that the preparation and presentation of this work was supervised in accordance with the guidelines for supervision of thesis as laid down by the University of Ghana, Legon. ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ ARAH, LOBNIBE MATHEW PROF. A. ESSUMAN-JOHNSON (STUDENT) (LEAD SUPERVISOR) --------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- PROF. R.E.V. GYAMPO DR. ISAAC OWUSU-MENSAH (SUPERVISOR) (SUPERVISOR) i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT In Ghana, parliamentary primaries are so topical and keenly contested for in a party’s strongholds. This is because, the chances of becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) are very high after wining the primaries and so primaries are the real elections in those areas. For this reason, contestants especially sitting MPs would employ all manner of tactics in order to outwit their opponents. This thesis therefore examines the sort of politics that goes on in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) parliamentary primaries in the Upper West Region. The study uses “A theory of political parties: groups, policy demands and nomination”, and the Alternative theory for the use of primary elections in new democracies as the theoretical foundation. The views of three hundred and ninety-eight (398) respondents were sought by the use of a survey questionnaire, and elite interviews conducted for twenty-seven (27) specially selected NDC members. After the analysis of the data, the study argues that the actual contest in the parliamentary primaries starts with parliamentary hopefuls influencing the selection of constituency executives, which precede the parliamentary primaries. This is in view of the crucial role these executives’ play as to who wins primaries in each constituency. Secondly, from 2003-2007, many sitting MPs went unopposed based on three reasons; fist, many NDC members were not politically enlightened to contest for the post. Secondly, the NDC was in opposion and so new entrants could not marshall the necessary resources to challenge sitting MPs.Thirdly, party officials coluded wih sitting MPs to appealed to new entrants to step down for the future and for party unity. More importantly, the administrative processes governing the primaries were highly flawed to give undue advantage to certain candidates, as the entire process was fraught with favouritism, intimidation, bribry and vote buying. Additionally, it was noticed that incumbency served as an advantage to especially sitting MPs, but party endorsement of candidates did not inure to the advantage of either the candidate or the party as a whole. Lastly, women participation in parliamentary primaries was low because of societal odds that militate against their participation in politics. The study therefore recommended reforms to creat a level playing field for all and to enticse more women into politics. This should be done to match the name the National democratic Congress. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION I dedicate this thesis to the memory of my late father Danyaare Arah, under whose discipline and upbringing I got to this level. I also dedicate this thesis to my lovely children; Nuogar Arah, Yellville Arah, Mwinnoma Arah, and Mwingu Lobnibe Arah. My prayer is that they strive to achieve higher heights in life. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I take this opportunity to appreciate all those whose encouragement; supervision, reminder, criticisms and financial support have helped shape this work into a full thesis. First, I am highly indebted to my lead supervisor Prof. Essuman-Johnson in gratitude for the keen interest he had in my thesis and for giving me all the needed and necessary assistance to complete this work. I am equally grateful to Prof. R.E.V. Gyanpo and Dr Isaac Owusu-mensah my second and third supervisors respectively for their constant reminder, encouragement and valuable impute that were made to bring this work into fruition.My second appreciation goes to my wife Sorda Lydia and and children, Nuogar Arah, Yelvielle Arah, Mwinnoma Arah and Mwingu Lobnibe Arah for their encouragement. Thirdly, I am also grateful to my siblings Isaac Arah, Elizabeth Arah, Agnes Arah, Joseph Arah, Augustine Arah, Eric Arah, Patrick Arah and Cynthia Arah for standing solidly behind me with their encouragement and financial support. May God reward them. In addition, I also extend my heart-felt gratitude to my Member of Parliament for Wa West, Joseph Yielle Chireh for assisting me to get a GET Fund scholarship. Indeed, it was a huge financial relief. My appreciation would not be complete without thanking my brother-in-law, Emmanuel Saaburo whose constant reminder, encouragement and huge financial assistance that has made it possible to produce this piece of work. My last appreciation goes to my friends Peter Mba, Paul Tibil, Moses AsampuaS for their constant encouragement and financial assistance. I will forever remain grateful to them. iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. i DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................. iv LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. xi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYM .................................................................... xiv CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 1.0 BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................... 1 1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT .................................................................................. 3 1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY ......................................................................... 4 1.2.1 Specific Objectives ....................................................................................... 5 1.3 THE CENTRAL ARGUMENTS OR ASSUMPTIONS OF THE STUDY ........ 6 1.4 CONTRIBUTION OR SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY ............................... 7 1.5 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONCEPTS ....................... 9 1.6 BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF NDC PARLIAMENTARY PRIMARIES IN THE UPPER WEST REGION, FROM 1992 TO 2015 .................... 10 1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY ..................................................................... 18 1.8 CHAPTER ORGANIZATION OF THIS STUDY ............................................ 19 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................. 20 2.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 20 v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW AND ITS PURPOSE ............................................... 20 2.2 LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE CONCEPT OF POLITICS ....................... 21 2.3 PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN DEMOCRACIES OUTSIDE AFRICA .............. 26 2.4 PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN DEMOCRACIES IN AFRICA ........................... 61 2.5 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................. 73 CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 74 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK .................................................................................... 74 3.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 74 3.1 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ..................................................................... 74 3.1.1 A theory of Political Parties: groups, policy demands and nominations in American politics ...................................................................................................... 75 3.1.2 Strength and Weaknesses ofA theory of Political Parties: groups, policy demands and nominations in American politics ....................................................... 77 3.1.3 Alternative Theory for the use of ParliamentaryElection in New Democracies .............................................................................................................

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