Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman Awentami Paul Afoko has strongly criticized the party’s decision to demand a GH₵4 million development fee from presidential aspirants.
In an interview with Kojo Marfo on AbusuaNkommo on Abusua 96.5 FM, Afoko questioned the rationale behind the hefty fee, describing it as unjustified and harmful to the party’s future.
“I don’t agree with this at all. Why GH₵4 million on top of the GH₵600,000 already paid? What is this about money or someone who can serve the party and Ghana? It’s not right. It doesn’t sit well with us. This is not the New Patriotic Party,” Afoko said.
He emphasized that many qualified individuals would be willing to serve the party if such financial barriers were removed.
“If it wasn’t for the GH₵4 million, more people with the right qualities would come forward to work for the party. If presented to Ghanaians, they would embrace such a candidate with trust.”
Afoko also pointed out the contradiction in the party’s claim of development, given that the NPP could not achieve significant progress during its eight years in government.
He stressed “Someone is expected to bring GH₵4 million on top of the GH₵600,000 almost GH₵5 million in total as a development fee?
“We couldn’t develop the party in eight years of power. Now that we’re out of government, we talk about development fees. What is this?,” he questioned.
He urged party members and supporters to critically assess the move.
“We should go to the polling station and ask them, ‘Is the GH₵4 million really coming to develop them’? Please, let us not destroy the party. Our potential has not been met. We haven’t seen it yet. This party can go higher, but what we are doing now is not helping,” he added
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
