The proposed ¢500 million filing fee for presidential candidates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been criticised by a presidential hopeful, Mr Dan Botwe.

Speaking to journalists in Cape Coast of the Central region of Ghana after touring 19 constituencies, Mr Botwe said the money is too much. He said though the amount could grease the financial wheel of the party, it might send signals that the party is for sale to the rich.

He said it is imperative for the party to erase the negative perception that it is money-conscious.

However, Mr Botwe was quick to add that it is too early to peg the fee at that amount because the final decision would come up three months prior to the party’s congress in December 2007.

He said generating ¢500 million is no big deal for any serious candidate.

“It is a matter of about 100 people donating ¢5 million each or 50 people donating ¢10 million each,” he noted.

Mr Botwe, who is the immediate past General Secretary of the NPP said in the mid 50s and early 60s the Danquah/Busia tradition was made to look as a party for the rich. But after some hard work and education, he said, the party transformed itself into a mass party.

He warned that it would be disastrous for the party to switch from a mass party to that of a privileged few.

Source: The Independent