This former president is unhappy with the $90,000 fee for contestants in Ghana’s next presidential elections

Ghana’s former President, Jerry John Rawlings has raised concerns about the massive increase in the filing fee for presidential aspirants in the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the largest opposition party in the country.

This follows an announcement by the party’s national executive committee (NEC) that, presidential aspirants of the party will have to pay $90,000 as filing fee.

The former president who doubles as the party founder has called on the party’s national executives committee to reconsider the decision.

According to the founder, the aspirants have barely two weeks to raise the high amount and if anyone is able to raise the amount, a perception may be created that the party is being handed over to the highest bidder.

Ex-President Rawlings said, “I doubt if anyone of us who has served with integrity, relying on our salaries can raise these filing fees unless we engaged in some unethical behaviour while in office; Unless we abused or misused our positions during our tenure.”

At his (Ex-President Rawlings) resident on Friday, November 30, when the newly the newly elected national executive committee paid a visit to him, the founder revealed that certain actions or decisions could either be a reflection of the circumstances of the NDC’s birth or “mark a departure from where we are coming from as a party”.

The founder further pleaded with NEC to review their decision and find alternatives to address the legitimate concern of raising funds to finance the presidential elections.

He then admonished the newly elected executives to work diligently to restore the integrity of the party even as they prepare for the uphill task ahead.

Although the founder has added his voice to the current debates, some presidential aspirants who have lamented over the $90,000 filing fee have petitioned the party’s Council of Elders over the matter.

These petitioners include Alban Bagbin, Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Joshua Alabi, Sylvester Mensah, Stephen Atubiga, Nurideen Iddrissu, Goosie Tanoh, Kojo Bonsu and Elikplim Agbemava.