Former Member of Parliament for Subin, Eugene Boakye Antwi, has expressed strong disapproval over the GH¢4.6 million development fee being charged by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from its presidential aspirants.
According to him, the fee is exorbitant and undermines the authority of party executives once a candidate becomes president, as the financial burden leaves little room to question appointments and decisions made by the leader.
The NPP recently opened nominations for its presidential aspirants, charging GH¢100,000 for nomination forms, GH¢500,000 as filing fee, and an additional GH¢4.6 million as development fee.
Speaking on Burning Issues, Mr. Boakye Antwi said:
“I disagree with the party for taking that amount from aspirants as development fees, because if someone is spending so much and he becomes president, what power do you have to question his appointment and some decisions he makes?”
He proposed that political parties should instead explore alternative funding models, such as securing loans from banks to run their activities and repaying them once in power, or raising revenue by buying shares and expanding their membership base.
The former Subin legislator further highlighted the heavy financial demands already placed on MPs, noting that they spend a minimum of GH¢500,000 annually in their constituencies, including supporting constituents with expenses such as the purchase of coffins.
He added that all five aspirants who have so far picked forms to contest in the presidential race are expected to spend not less than GH¢10 million on their campaigns, in addition to the GH¢4.6 million development fee, form and filing fees—placing an unsustainable financial burden on candidates.
Source: Kwame Kulenu
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