Former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, has stated that any New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant who struggles to pay the party's development fee is not fit to contest for the presidency.

In an interview on TV3 and monitored by GhanaWeb on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, he emphasised that a candidate's inability to pay the GH¢4 million fee signals a lack of influence and credibility.

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"If you are in opposition, you will raise money, so it is a sensible way to raise money. If a man says he is credible and people should vote for him as a flagbearer, and he can't raise GH¢4 million, that means he doesn't count; he is not even influential. Who is telling you that you are the one going to pay the money?" he said.

The party's recent decision to impose a GH¢4 million "development fee" on presidential aspirants has sparked widespread criticism and raised questions about the party's commitment to democratic principles.

Meanwhile, the National Council of Elders of the NPP has announced the formation of an ad hoc Committee to oversee the conduct of all presidential aspirants, their campaign teams, and supporters ahead of the party's primaries.

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The Committee will monitor comments, actions, and behaviour of aspirants and their supporters, as well as review petitions related to hate speech, insults, and abusive language.

The decision follows a meeting with aspirants on Thursday, September 11, 2025, as the NPP prepares for its presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, 2026.

JKB/VPO

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