The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has mounted a strong defense of its controversial fees for 2025 presidential aspirants, with Upper East Regional Communications Team Member Daniel Agengre dismissing criticism as “an unfair generalization” and “an attempt to dent the image of a disciplined and democratic party.”
Agengre argued that the fees represent a necessary fundraising mechanism for the opposition party. “The party is in opposition, and it is a means for the party to raise funds to run the party. Candidates willing to lead the party should be able to rally support from their supporters to raise funds to support their political ambitions,” he stated.
His comments came in response to growing controversy over allegations that NPP flagbearer aspirants must pay a GH¢4 million “development fee” in addition to nomination and filing costs—bringing total campaign expenses close to one million US dollars.
Fee Breakdown Sparks National Debate
The NPP presidential primary aspirants are required to pay a total of GH¢4.6 million, comprising an application fee of GH¢100,000, a filing fee of GH¢500,000, and a development fee of GH¢4 million. Presidential hopeful Kennedy Agyapong publicly revealed these fee requirements, which have drawn criticism from both political opponents and civil society organizations.
The controversy has intensified as five NPP presidential aspirants have been invited for balloting scheduled for October 10, 2025, with the primary election set for January 31, 2026.
NDC Labels NPP a ‘Dollar-Boot’ Party
Speaking on the Daybreak Upper East show on A1 Radio in Bolgatanga, National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team Member Dr. Nicolas Zangena launched a scathing attack on the NPP’s fee structure, declaring that the party has abandoned its founding principles.
“You see, the four million-plus development fee is not just a scandal, but it’s immoral. It is undemocratic, and it is anti-party,” Dr. Zangena stated. “It shows a party that is captured by money, so that if you have the brilliant ideas, if you have the competence, the capacity, and the base to lead the party and potentially become the president of Ghana to develop Ghana, and you don’t have the financial resources, then you will be relegated to the background.”
Dr. Zangena expressed concern over what he described as the “commercialization of internal democracy” within the NPP, arguing that the party—once admired for its principles of discipline, patriotism, and service—is now undermining its own values.
“They say it’s for development. What kind of development are they talking about? Is it capital expenditure development? Or what? It is just a moral decay in the NPP. It’s no longer the ‘Dankwa-Busia’ tradition. It is now the ‘dollar boot’ tradition, because you need close to one million dollars to be able to prosecute your campaign as a presidential aspirant,” he added.
Civil Society Voices Concerns
The NPP’s fee structure has also drawn criticism from civil society organizations. The Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA), through its Executive Director Michael Donyina Mensah, strongly criticized the party’s decision to charge aspiring presidential candidates a total of GH¢4.6 million, describing it as exclusionary and undemocratic.
The debate over campaign financing in Ghana’s political parties continues as the NPP prepares for its 2026 presidential primary, with critics questioning whether such high fees undermine democratic participation and favor wealthy candidates over competent ones.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Samuel Adagom | Bolgatanga
