New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful Kwabena Agyei Agyepong has expressed deep concern about the growing influence of money in Ghana’s politics.

He warned that the spirit of service and sacrifice that defined the country’s political tradition is being eroded.

“I’m worried that we are allowing money to rule us in this country, and I, hopefully I become President, I’ll restore those values of service, sacrifice and selflessness back to the party and to society in general,” he said on Joy News’ PM Express.

He recalled that the founding spirit of the NPP tradition was built on volunteerism and selflessness, but that spirit is fading.

“That, as I said, really animated the formation of this party, that spirit of volunteerism, sacrifice, fellow feeling, all for one, one for all, as has virtually disappeared, you know, to the extent that people are not prepared to work for the party with the kind of gusto that we saw when we were young. You know, you put in a lot and you don’t expect anything in return.”

For him, politics must move into a new phase.

“And that’s why I’ve been talking about the fact that we need to usher in a new era, a new dawn, a new direction, a new Ghanaian led by a new politician, you know, a politician who earned the respect and the belief of the ordinary Ghanaian, because that belief has taken a big hit.

"When you look at all the surveys, and politicians are the rock bottom, is because of some of the things they have seen from us, the politicians. So we have to lead by changing the narrative.”

Mr Agyepong also pointed to his own record as an example of service without exploitation.

“And I use myself because I’ve been in high office as press secretary to President Kufuor for close to six years. I did not abuse my position. I did not rack up real estate. I did not go after state property.

"And I think you can serve your country and have a sense of fulfilment without being marvelously rich.”

He said materialism has gripped the country and warned against the monetisation of politics in the NPP tradition.

“So the fact that the country has been gripped by materialism worries me, and the monetisation of our politics, especially our UP tradition, Adu Boahen’s tradition, Da Rocha’s tradition, R. R. Amposah tradition and many others who put their lives, their houses, their everything, Stephen Krakue, J. A. Addison and the rest.

"Otherwise, we would have said that Addison would have won in 1992 because he was a big businessman, you know. But Adu Boahen, the university lecturer, won because people believe in his drive, his vision, and what he wanted to do for our country. So it’s never been about money.”

He said younger generations must be taught to value public service over riches.

“Absolutely vital that we do that for the younger generation to learn something and be able to admire and say, 'I want to become a politician', because you can have a fulfilled life without being fabulously rich anyway, when you grow up like I am now, okay, you realise I don’t need that much money.

"Money is important, but I think it’s not the overriding factor to make you happy. So that spirit of contentment that is missing is divine.”