The New Patriotic Party has reportedly given one of its presidential hopefuls, Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a 48-hour ultimatum to pay a GH₵4 million development fee or face disqualification from the party’s flagbearer race.
The party’s Vetting Committee, backed by the National Executive Committee, reportedly sent the ultimatum to Agyei Agyapong following the conclusion of its screening process for presidential aspirants.
According to media reports, if he fails to settle the development fee within the 48-hour window, he will be barred from contesting.
The demand forms part of a broader financial requirement imposed on all vetted aspirants. In addition to a nomination fee, each aspirant was required to pay ₵4 million as a development levy.
The total cost to participate, including filing and nomination fees, has been widely reported as ₵4.6 million.
Agyei Agyapong has publicly questioned the legitimacy of the development fee. Reports indicate he opposes the additional charge, deeming it unfair or non-democratic within party processes.
The deadline coincides with key next steps in the party’s primary timetable. On October 10, 2025, the NPP plans to hold a balloting exercise to allocate positions on the ballot paper for the January 31, 2026 presidential primary. Invitations to the balloting exercise have been sent to all five vetted aspirants.
Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, a former General Secretary of the NPP, joins Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, and Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum as the five aspirants cleared by vetting.
Sources within the party suggest that if Agyei Agyapong does not comply, his name will be excluded from further proceedings in the contest until the payment is made.
As of now, there is no confirmation that he has made the payment, and the 48-hour window is still running. The unfolding situation raises crucial questions about internal party fairness, financial inducements in politics, and the criteria used to qualify aspirants in one of Ghana’s dominant political parties.
