Supreme Court's ban on delegate system marks turning point for Ghana's internal party democracy

Ghana's Supreme Court has struck down the delegate system used by political parties to elect presidential and parliamentary candidates, in a landmark 5–2 ruling that could fundamentally transform internal party democracy across the country. The decision, backed by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, orders all political parties to adopt systems allowing every member in good standing to participate in internal primaries, with implementation required within one year.

Dr Kojo Asante, Director of Policy Engagement and Partnerships at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has praised the judgment as a bold and timely intervention. Speaking on Channel One TV, he described the ruling as a watershed moment that arrives at a critical juncture for Ghana's constitutional development.

Why it matters for Ghana

The delegate system has long been a flashpoint in Ghanaian politics, criticised for concentrating power among a small group of party elites and creating opportunities for wealthy candidates to dominate selection processes. By requiring broader membership participation, the Court's decision could level the playing field for aspiring candidates without deep financial resources, potentially encouraging fresh voices and reducing the influence of money in internal elections.

The timing is particularly significant because Ghana is currently undergoing a constitutional review process. The Constitutional Review Committee has already identified internal party democracy and the monetisation of party politics as priority reform areas. Dr Asante argues that the Supreme Court ruling could accelerate these broader constitutional changes, even before the full review process concludes. Rather than waiting for comprehensive constitutional amendments, political parties must now implement democratic reforms immediately, setting precedents that could shape the constitutional framework itself.

This development also carries implications for upcoming elections. Candidates excluded or marginalised by delegate systems in past cycles may now have renewed opportunities to contest primaries. More transparent and inclusive selection processes could boost public confidence in political parties and improve the legitimacy of ultimately elected representatives.

What comes next

Political parties now face the practical challenge of designing and implementing new primary systems within the twelve-month deadline. The ruling does not specify what form these systems should take, only that they must be inclusive of all members in good standing. Parties will need to address technical questions: how to verify membership eligibility, whether primary elections will be held nationwide simultaneously, how to manage costs, and whether electronic voting or other innovations might enhance participation.

The implementation phase will test whether political parties genuinely embrace democratic change or seek to find loopholes. Civil society organisations like CDD-Ghana will likely play a crucial role in monitoring compliance and holding parties accountable to the spirit of the judgment.

For Ghana's broader democratic project, the ruling underscores the judiciary's willingness to intervene in matters of political party governance when constitutional rights are at stake. This confidence in judicial independence could encourage other constitutional challenges in future and strengthen checks and balances across the political system.