Presidential aspirant Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over a GH₵4 million “development fee” being imposed on aspirants in the party’s upcoming presidential primaries.
Addressing party supporters, the former Assin Central MP questioned the rationale behind the demand, describing it as “disgraceful.”
He disclosed that each of the five aspirants contesting the January 31, 2026 primaries has been directed to pay the fee because, according to party leadership, the party is financially constrained.
“A disgraceful thing that has happened is that all five contestants are being asked to pay GH₵4 million as development fee because the party is broke,” Mr. Agyapong said.
The outspoken politician recounted his experience during the filing process, noting that after paying GH₵100,000 for nomination forms and GH₵500,000 as filing fee, he was unexpectedly confronted with the additional demand.
“I thought they were joking, so I didn’t take it seriously. Suddenly, someone whispered to me, asking if I had brought the GH₵4 million. Like a joke, I was given a deadline of September 5 to pay the amount,” he revealed.
According to him, the total cost of running for the NPP flagbearership, factoring in the nomination, filing, and development fees, now stands at GH₵4.6 million.
Background:
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) commenced the nomination process for presidential aspirants ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Nominations was officially opened on July 29, 2025, and closed on August 28, as confirmed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong.
Each hopeful was required to pay a non-refundable application fee of GH₵100,000 and a filing fee of GH₵500,000 to the party’s headquarters in Accra.
An additional development levy, not yet specified, will also be mandatory for all candidates
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
