NPP opens nominations for 2028 parliamentary primaries with GH₵5,000 fee

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has announced the commencement of the first phase of its parliamentary candidate selection process for the 2028 general elections. General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong stated that prospective candidates must declare their interest between November 1 and November 10, 2026. This initial stage requires all applicants, including sitting Members of Parliament, to register through an online portal and pay a mandatory expression of interest fee of GH₵5,000. According to the party leadership, this structured approach is designed to enhance fairness and discipline as the NPP seeks to recover parliamentary seats lost in previous cycles. Following the declaration period, the party plans to conduct a zoning exercise and host training workshops in December 2026 to prepare candidates for the upcoming primaries.

The introduction of the GH₵5,000 fee has sparked significant debate regarding the cost of political participation in Ghana. Abraham Amaliba, the Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority, criticized the requirement as the "monetisation of democracy," arguing that such fees create financial barriers that may exclude qualified individuals from representing their constituencies. Similarly, legal scholar Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare has raised concerns regarding the legal basis of the fee. He suggested that imposing a financial prerequisite for merely declaring interest might introduce eligibility criteria that are not supported by the NPP’s constitution, potentially complicating the internal vetting and selection process.

Beyond legal and democratic concerns, there are allegations that the new selection guidelines may serve specific internal interests. Ebo Buckman, Deputy Director of Communications for the United Party, alleged that the online application system and the associated costs are skewed to favor candidates loyal to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Buckman warned that supporters of other party factions, such as those previously aligned with Alan Kyerematen or Kennedy Agyapong, could face disadvantages or potential disqualification during the vetting stages. Despite these criticisms, the NPP has officially suspended all campaign activities until candidates receive formal clearance, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining an orderly and disciplined primary season.