Chairperson of the CDD-Ghana Board, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, has called for gender-sensitive reforms to Africa’s political financing systems, noting that financial barriers continue to exclude women from active political participation.

She said discussions on the influence of money in politics must place women at the centre, arguing that the issue is fundamental to building inclusive and democratic political systems across the continent.

Prof. Gadzekpo made the remarks during the closing ceremony of the High-Level Regional Convening on the Financialization of Politics in Africa: Advancing Reform, Transparency, Accountability and Democratic Integrity, held in Accra from July 14 to 16.

“Refracting the financialization of politics through a gendered lens is not a niche women’s issue. It strikes at the very core of the inclusive, democratic politics we all want for our countries,” she said.

She explained that although all politicians face financial demands, women encounter additional structural obstacles, including limited access to influential political networks, the burden of unpaid care work and gender-based violence in both physical and online spaces.

Prof. Gadzekpo also criticised political systems that she said often favour women with established political family connections, arguing that patriarchy continues to determine who gains access to political office.

She urged governments, civil society organisations and development partners to adopt innovative funding models that deliberately support women seeking political office and proposed the establishment of a high-level task force to integrate gender into political finance reforms.

“Let us build a democracy that is cleaner, less monetized, and truly inclusive of all citizens,” she stated.

The three-day regional convening ended with participants adopting the Accra Declaration on Regulating Financing of Politics to Advance Democratic Integrity in Africa, which calls for coordinated continental action to strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity in political financing.

The declaration cautions that opaque political financing, rising campaign costs, corruption and illicit financial flows are undermining democratic governance and public trust across Africa.

It also commits stakeholders to advancing reforms that promote inclusive participation and ensure political systems remain accountable to citizens rather than financial interests.