Officials of the Convention Peoples Party have played down criticisms that the filing fees for the party’s national executive positions are too high. Lawyer and leading member of the party, Bright Akwete told Joy News the fees in the opinion of the Central Committee of the party are realistic enough to rebuild the party from the grass roots. Per the fees released on Tuesday, aspirants of the chairmanship position of the party will have to part with GHS 20,000 as filing fees. Aspirants for the Vice Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurer positions will pay GHS 15,000 each, whilst the aspirants for the party’s organizer will pay GHS 5,000. These amounts have been described as whopping, more so, when the CPP in relative terms with the two dominant political parties- NPP and NDC is seen to be less attractive. But Akwete insists any person who aspires to the highest position of the CPP must be ready to pay that much to steer the affairs of the party. “Various issues came for considerations,” he said, adding “the issues were discussed thoroughly" and the fees were approved as "being appropriate in the current circumstances.” He would not disclose what considerations went into the filing fees but said the decision was accepted by all interest groups. “The fees as we have arrived at,... is something that was acceptable by all therefore if in the wisdom of the members of the Central Committee this is what they think will help or catapult us into the position that will facilitate our take off then we accept it and would want to go by it," he said. He stated the other parties charging relatively lower fees, perhaps have some support systems that could cushion them for the parties activities. Apart from the fees, members are to pay monthly dues in order to help raise funds for the administration of the party. He would not disclose which position he will be vying for except to say when the time comes it will be made public. Mr Akwete was losing presidential candidate to Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom in the 2008 race. Play the attached audio for excerpts of the interview Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana