adverts
NPP Turning Democracy Into Marketplace of Privilege—Dr. Arthur Kennedy Slams GH₵600,000 Filing Fee
Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, a leading critic and estranged member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), has sharply criticised the party’s recently announced filing fees for presidential aspirants, calling the move “a democratic crisis in slow motion.”
The NPP has pegged its nomination and filing fees at GH₵600,000—comprising GH₵100,000 for nomination and GH₵500,000 to file—plus an additional, undefined “development fee” at the discretion of the party’s National Council.
In a strongly worded statement, Dr. Kennedy argued that the high cost of entry transforms the party into a bastion of privilege, rather than a platform for public service.
adverts
“This is not just a pricing issue,” he said. “It is, at the risk of Yaanom mercilessly insulting me again, a democratic crisis in slow motion.”
He cited Article 55(5) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that political parties operate according to democratic principles, arguing that the current system of exorbitant fees breaches this requirement by excluding many qualified aspirants.
“When the cost of entry into internal primaries becomes the equivalent of the lifetime earnings of most public servants, the party ceases to be a platform for national service and becomes a marketplace of privilege,” he declared.
Dr. Kennedy contrasted the NPP’s internal fees with the Electoral Commission’s 2020 nationwide presidential filing fee of GH₵100,000, questioning why it now costs six times more just to contest within the party.
“What message does that send? That democracy within the party is costlier than democracy within the republic?” he asked.
He also dismissed the argument that serious candidates should be able to raise the funds, stating, “₵600,000 is not a test of merit, competence, or commitment. It is a test of wealth, patronage networks, or willingness to borrow from financiers—with all the moral hazards that entails.”
According to Dr. Kennedy, such barriers to participation systematically exclude women, the youth, and reform-minded candidates, while entrenching transactional politics and reinforcing the dominance of the political elite.
Calling for urgent reforms, he urged the NPP and other political parties to restructure their financing mechanisms. His proposals include placing a cap on nomination fees, abolishing development fees, and adopting fairer eligibility mechanisms such as refundable deposits or signature endorsements.
He further challenged the Electoral Commission to step in and ensure political parties uphold constitutional standards of democratic inclusion and fairness.
“Democracy must not be sold to the highest bidder,” he warned. “The country deserves better—and so do the parties that claim to serve it.”
Click the link Puretvonline.com | WhatsApp Channel to join the WhatsApp channel
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or Email: manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
