Aspiring New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Ing. Kwabena Agyepong, has revealed that some members of the party had proposed a GHS 10 million filing fee for the upcoming presidential primary.
He, along with others, opposed the proposal, arguing that such a high fee was excessive and would breed resentment towards the party.
Ing. Agyepong expressed concern over what he described as the “monetization” of the primary, warning that it is an unhealthy practice that gives the NPP a negative public image.
He maintained that the current GHS 4.6 million filing fee, which includes a GHS 4 million development levy, remains excessive.
According to him, this financial barrier has prevented equally competent and interested individuals from contesting the race.
In an exclusive interview on Frontline with Kwabena Agyapong on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated that the high cost has created an unnecessary barrier for those aspiring to the flagbearership.
Mr. Agyepong believes this was a deliberate strategy to exclude certain individuals from the race.
To protest the “outrageous” filing fee on principle, Mr. Agyepong has refused to pay it.
He has officially written to the party leadership, requesting a response regarding their decision to set the filing fee and related charges at GHS 4.6 million. He argued that the development levy should not be exclusively limited to aspiring presidential candidates.
Ing. Agyepong, who has financially supported the party at various levels, stressed that the NPP should avoid being perceived as a party that prioritizes money over competence. He stated that creating financial barriers through internal elections prevents people from contesting and undermines the party’s democratic values.
He further elaborated on his opposition: “On principle, I believe the cost for the primary is expensive and excessive; it’s creating a barrier to prevent others from contesting. We should not use money as a barrier… Some people wanted the party to charge GHS 10 million, and myself and others opposed it because it is morally wrong. This was a plan to make it difficult for some of us to participate.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
