Flagbearer aspirants must prove influence by raising GH¢4m fee – Atta Akyea
Former Member of Parliament for Akim Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea, says any New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant unable to raise the GH¢4 million development fee does not deserve to lead the party.
He argued that the fee is a legitimate test of credibility and influence.
“If you are in opposition, you will raise money, so it is a sensible way to raise money. If a man says he is credible and people should vote for him as a flagbearer, and he can’t raise 4 million Cedis, that means he doesn’t count; he is not even influential. Who is telling you that you are the one going to pay the money?” he stated in an interview.
His comments come as the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has urged the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate the funding sources of NPP flagbearer aspirants amid concerns about the monetisation of democracy. The NPP flagbearer race is scheduled for January 31, 2026, with five candidates having filed nominations so far.
On internal competition within the NPP, Atta Akyea described it as a normal political process.
“Right now, what you are seeing is a normal political dynamic where people are competing for the flagbearership. If you believe you are the most credible candidate to become the flagbearer of the NPP, people should tone down and go on tour and campaign,” he said.
When asked about his preferred candidate, Atta Akyea replied: “I have told the whole world Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is my preferred choice or candidate.”
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