The New Patriotic Party (NPP) begins vetting its flagbearer hopefuls today, September 15, 2025, but the process is already mired in controversy as questions linger over a GH₵4 million development fee demanded from aspirants.
Five candidates have successfully filed to contest the opposition party’s flagbearer slot: Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Agriculture Minister Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Education Minister Dr. Yaw Adutwum, former General Secretary Ing. Kwabena Agyepong, and businessman-politician Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
While the vetting is scheduled to run until September 22, reports suggest that some aspirants have refused to pay the hefty fee, sparking debate over whether such financial barriers undermine the democratic nature of the party’s internal elections. It remains unclear whether non-payment could lead to disqualification.
The party has set January 31, 2026, as the date for its delegates’ congress to elect a new flagbearer who will lead the NPP into the 2028 general elections. But for now, attention is less on campaign messages and more on whether money will become the decisive factor in who makes it onto the ballot.
The outcome of the fee standoff could shape not only the credibility of the vetting process but also the public’s perception of fairness within the party’s leadership contest.
