New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, has strongly condemned the GH¢4.6 million “development fee” being demanded from aspirants, describing it as morally unjustifiable and outside the party’s constitutional mandate.
In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Agyepong said the fee represents a deliberate attempt to create financial barriers for candidates.
“This fee was rejected at the National Executive Committee meeting. At that meeting, some even suggested GH¢10 million, others GH¢5 million. I was shocked—do they even understand the hardship in the country to mention such outrageous sums?” he asked.
He explained that the committee had agreed only on GH¢100,000 for nomination forms and GH¢500,000 as a filing fee, with no additional development charges.
According to him, funding the presidential primaries is the responsibility of the party—not the aspirants.
“It is morally wrong. If you don’t have that money, you cannot contest. Leadership positions then become the preserve of the wealthy few,” he argued.
Mr. Agyepong further insisted that the NPP’s constitution gives the National Council no authority to impose such fees, saying their role is limited to setting dates for primaries.
Rejecting claims that some aspirants could easily afford the fee, he questioned their financial standing compared to his own contributions to the party.
“Those saying they have the money—none of them had more than me when they joined this party. I have run this party before and know what it takes to organise primaries. Don’t tell me a party in power for eight years has no money. There are ways to raise funds,” he stressed.
He concluded that the GH¢4.6 million fee must not be used as grounds for disqualification.
“I have paid what I’m required to pay. Why impose extra fees on us? What image are we projecting to Ghanaians?” he asked.
The NPP recently opened nominations with charges of GH¢100,000 for nomination forms, GH¢500,000 for filing, and an additional GH¢4.6 million development fee—an amount Mr. Agyepong insists is unconstitutional and unjust.
source: myjoyonline
