Advancing Reform, Accountability and Democratic Integrity
14–16 July 2026 | Accra, Ghana
Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City
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Across Africa, the rising cost of politics is reshaping democratic participation, governance, and accountability. Elections, political parties, and public institutions are increasingly influenced by financial interests — creating barriers to participation, deepening inequality, and weakening democratic trust.
The Convening brings together heads of state, policymakers, parliamentarians, anti-corruption agencies, electoral management bodies, civil society leaders, researchers, private sector representatives, development partners, and media practitioners to examine the growing influence of money in politics and identify pathways toward meaningful reform.
Hosted in Accra, Ghana, it builds upon continental and global efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and integrity in political finance — including the momentum of UNCAC Resolution 11/7 and efforts to develop an African Model Law on Political Finance Transparency.
The financialization of politics is no longer a peripheral governance issue — it sits at the centre of democratic legitimacy.
This convening seeks to move the conversation from diagnosis to action through dialogue, progressive interventions and focused engagement.
• The cost of seeking political office continues to rise.
• Women and young people face increasing barriers to political participation.
• Political competition is increasingly shaped by elite financial networks.
• Illicit and opaque funding undermine public trust and democratic accountability.
• Regulatory frameworks often exist but remain weakly implemented.
1. Elevate public and policy attention on the impact of money in politics.
2. Translate research into actionable policy reforms.
3. Strengthen the Community of Practice on Political Finance in Africa.
4. Foster collaboration among governments, oversight bodies, civil society, academia, and development partners.
5. Advance implementation of political finance transparency and accountability reforms.
1. Identified practical pathways for reform.
2. Strengthened strategic partnerships across sectors.
3. Advanced dialogue on the implementation of UNCAC Resolution 11/7.
4. Contributed to a continental agenda on political finance transparency.
5. Adopted the Accra Declaration on Political Finance Transparency and Democratic Integrity.
1. Identified practical pathways for reform.
2. Strengthened strategic partnerships across sectors.
3. Advanced dialogue on the implementation of UNCAC Resolution 11/7.
4. Contributed to a continental agenda on political finance transparency.
5. Adopted the Accra Declaration on Political Finance Transparency and Democratic Integrity.
