Dr. Bryan Acheampong, a hopeful presidential aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has clarified that the Ghc4 million development fee required from candidates for the party’s presidential primaries is a mandatory element of the process.
He emphasized that the fee is a party requirement rather than a personal stance he supports or opposes.
Speaking to journalists after his vetting by the NPP Presidential Election Committee, Dr. Acheampong said presidential candidates must demonstrate resourcefulness, including the ability to mobilize necessary funds to meet party requirements.
“Well, as far as I am concerned, it was a requirement that came with the forms that we have to pay a development fee. If you are a presidential candidate, you have to be able to demonstrate resourcefulness, to be able to mobilize what is required to fulfill the party’s requirement. It has been done,” he explained.
When asked whether the Ghc4 million fee was appropriate, affordable, or excessive, Dr. Acheampong maintained neutrality.
He stated, “As to whether it is the right amount, fair amount, exorbitant or low, that is up to the party people and the party leadership to decide. I am not for or against. I’m very neutral about it.”
Dr. Acheampong confirmed that his team has met this financial obligation and is now prepared to launch their campaign.
Regarding his vision shared during the vetting, he revealed that the process focused mainly on assessing candidates’ qualifications and constitutional eligibility rather than detailed campaign plans.
“I don’t think that it came in that form. The vetting was largely based on your qualification to be a presidential candidate and to satisfy the constitutional requirement that is what vetting is about,” he said.
He added that some questions touched on how candidates would unite the party to secure victory if chosen as the flagbearer.
“There were some side questions more about how we bring the party together or the vision on how, when you become a candidate, unite as to win,” Dr. Acheampong concluded.
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
