The New Patriotic Party (NPP) of Ghana has announced a GH¢5,000 declaration fee for prospective parliamentary candidates, including sitting Members of Parliament, seeking to contest the party's parliamentary primaries ahead of the 2028 general elections. This was made known by the party's General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, at a press conference on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The initiative is described as an unprecedented development in Ghana's political landscape.
The declaration exercise is scheduled to take place from November 1 to November 10, 2026, through the party's designated online portal, PPC.nppghana.org. Prospective aspirants are expected to register their intention to contest and pay the stipulated GH¢5,000 fee before the formal nomination process begins. This process aims to establish the eligibility of prospective parliamentary candidates at an early stage, allowing officials to assess whether interested individuals satisfy the relevant requirements.
The introduction of the fee has raised questions about whether the requirement could create additional barriers for aspirants with limited financial resources. The potential implications are particularly relevant to young people, women, and individuals from less affluent backgrounds, who may already face considerable financial challenges when seeking political office. Beyond the declaration fee, prospective candidates must also contend with the expenses associated with campaigning, mobilisation, and the subsequent nomination process.
The Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED) has previously warned that financial requirements associated with internal party elections can restrict the participation of women, young people, and persons with disabilities. The new fee may substantially affect participation in the NPP's parliamentary primaries, depending on the financial circumstances of prospective candidates and whether the party adopts measures to address possible barriers.
According to Mr. Kodua Frimpong, the declaration process will also enable the party to examine the qualifications of prospective candidates against its constitution and the applicable laws of Ghana. He stressed that individuals seeking nomination as parliamentary candidates must satisfy the legal requirements governing eligibility for parliamentary office, indicating that the party intended to undertake the necessary checks before advancing candidates to subsequent stages of the electoral process.
The announcement comes as the NPP prepares for its parliamentary primaries, which are expected to attract incumbent MPs seeking re-election as well as new contenders hoping to secure the party's nomination for the 2028 elections. The party's internal electoral contests have previously attracted scrutiny over allegations of vote buying and financial inducements. The effectiveness of the new declaration requirement in preventing such practices will depend on the implementation of the rules and the enforcement measures adopted by the party.
Mr. Kodua Frimpong also cautioned prospective candidates against interpreting the declaration period as permission to begin campaigning in their respective constituencies. He clarified that declaring an intention to contest was distinct from formally opening nominations and did not confer an automatic right to campaign for the party's parliamentary ticket. The NPP is scheduled to conduct a zoning exercise from November 1 to December 4, 2026, before proceeding with the subsequent stages of its parliamentary candidate selection process.
Key points
- The NPP's introduction of a GH¢5,000 declaration fee for parliamentary aspirants may create barriers for those with limited financial resources.
- The declaration exercise aims to establish the eligibility of prospective parliamentary candidates at an early stage.
- The effectiveness of the new requirement in preventing vote buying and financial inducements will depend on its implementation and enforcement.
