Some leading members of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) have kicked against what they say is the high filing fees being charged by the party for various national leadership positions.
They noted that the nomination fees are outrageously high for a socialist democratic party which can prevent many otherwise capable party members from contesting for elective positions.
The aspirants said it was unacceptable and must kick against it on the grounds that it defeated the CPP’s central commitment, dedication and determination as a socialist party since leadership positions should not be for the highest bidder.
The CPP has fixed a filing fee of GH¢170,000 for Presidential aspirants with that of the National Chairman position pegged at GH¢70,000 while National Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, and General Secretary aspirants pay GH¢50,000.00, with filing fee for National Organiser is GH¢30,000.00, Women Organiser pay GH¢20,000.00, Youth Organiser pay GH¢20,000.00 and they will also have to pay GH¢2,000.00 for nomination forms.
Kweku Quansah, aspiring to the National Chairman position, who was the party’s 2016 Parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon in the Greater Accra Region, said it was unacceptable and must kick against it.
“Leadership positions in the party should not be up for the highest bidder which was inconsistent with what Nkrumaists stand for and Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s mission was to empower those marginalised by the elitist ideology and philosophy, create room for the ordinary Ghanaian to play active roles in political leadership to strengthen productivity and solidarity, we as a party must not lose sight of our fundamental principles.
“There should be a downward review of the fees to provide space for more people to enter the race for various positions in the party,” Mr Quansah noted and cited the case of Ebenezer Agbenya, a teacher, who had picked forms to contest for General Secretary position and has taken to social media –Facebook, to raise funds because of high filing fees.
Professor Kwaku Asare, a lawyer and accountant, has also spoken against unreasonable high filing fees however, Hajia Hamdatu Haruna, Acting National Chairperson, has defended the fees because it would help to mobilise funds to finance the party’s activities and the amount involved showed how serious and important the positions were to the party. -GNA
