A communications team member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Upper East Region, Daniel Agengre, has defended the party’s decision to charge a GH¢4 million development fee for presidential aspirants ahead of the party’s January 31, 2026 presidential primaries.
His comments follow a legal challenge filed by governance advocate and law scholar Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Kwaku Azar, who argues that the fee is unconstitutional and undermines internal democracy, fairness, and inclusion as guaranteed under Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Mr. Agengre rejected claims that the fee is meant to deliberately disqualify aspirants who cannot afford it.
“To think that this is a deliberate attempt to disqualify others who will not be able to afford such an amount — I do not want to think like that,” he said.
He explained that the GH¢4 million charge is a development levy aimed at generating resources to strengthen the party’s operations and campaign preparation ahead of the 2028 general elections.
“These are people who have achieved a lot over the years and can support the party. Why don’t we tax them so that they contribute now that they have an ambition?” he added.
According to Mr. Agengre, the funds will go toward essential expenses such as logistics, publicity, and campaign machinery, not to influence delegates or voters.
“This 4 million is not necessarily money we are trying to raise to go and influence people to vote for the party,” he clarified.
He emphasized that the fee is part of a long-term plan to ensure financial sustainability within the NPP and to make sure those seeking to lead the party are genuinely invested in its growth.
The NPP’s development levy has, however, sparked national debate. While some political analysts describe the amount as excessive and exclusionary, others argue that it is a realistic mechanism for financing modern political campaigns.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga
