The National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Sammy Gyamfi has stated categorically that the party is not going to back down on its earlier decision on amount presidential aspirants will pay as the filing fee.
“It will continue to remain at GH¢400,000 for the filing fee, GH¢ 20,000 for the cost of the form”, he indicated.
The NDC on 19th January 2019 will conduct its primaries throughout the 275 constituencies of the country to elect a flagbearer of the party who is expected to face New Patriotic Party’s (NPP’s) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The party during a press briefing to make an announcement about the elections and other processes indicated that presidential aspirants will have to pay the GH¢400,000 filing fee and GH¢20,000 for the cost of forms but gave some reprieve to female aspirants to women will only pay half the amount to contest.
Most aspirants hopeful have expressed disapproval of the fee including Mr. Stephen Atubiga who revealed on Friday that his colleagues aspirants have scheduled a meeting over the announcement of the ‘fat’ money made by the Party’s General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia who defends the decision.
However, the party’s Communications Officer, Mr. Sammy Gyamfi speaking in an interview with a local radio in Kumasi said “I don’t have any indication from National Chairman and the General Secretary that the party is going to arrange for another SEC and NEC meeting”.
“They are the only body of the party that can change this decision hence as I speak to you now nothing will change” he added.
Mr. Sammy Gyamfi further indicated that the NDC is ready to conduct its primaries and all necessary arrangements have been made as well as the fixing of the filing fee.
“We have given just two days for anybody to pick his or her forms at this stage. Nothing can be changed because SEC and NEC have already met over the matter.
We will plead with them to help the party to be able to conduct the elections in a nice way.
Some personalities who have made their intentions to contest for the position include; Former President John Dramani Mahama, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Mr. Kwesi Botchwey, Kweku Riketts-Hagan, Eliplim Agbmava, Stephen Atubiga among others.
