Presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, has criticised what he describes as the excessive monetisation of the party’s internal electoral processes.

He is cautioning delegates against sacrificing the long-term survival of the party for short-term financial benefits.

According to Mr. Agyapong, his campaign message, which focuses on the theme of “going back to the roots” of the NPP, has received a strong and emotional response from delegates across the country, particularly during his engagements at the constituency level.

“The theme of my campaign has been the NPP going back to our roots, when politics was a noble calling,” he said. “Not to extract from the country, but to give something to the people of Ghana.”

He noted that the increasing fixation on financial inducements has undermined internal party democracy and eroded the moral authority of the party in the eyes of the public.

He argued that such practices distort decision-making and weaken party cohesion.

Questioning the logic behind vote-buying, Agyapong asked, “How much can someone give you as a delegate?” he continued, “If someone gives you a thousand cedis, how long will it last? And with over 211,000 delegates, how much money can any candidate realistically distribute?”

While acknowledging that his campaign provides modest transport allowances during meetings, usually ranging between GH₵100 and GH₵200 depending on distance, Mr. Agyapong stressed that he rejects large-scale vote-buying, which he described as unsustainable and harmful to the party’s unity.

He revealed that his campaign is funded mainly through donations from sympathisers who share his political ideals, as well as personal savings.

In an interview on Accra-based Asaase Radio on Friday, January 23, he added that all campaign expenditures are properly documented and compliant with tax regulations.

In a direct appeal to party delegates, Mr Agyapong urged them to look beyond “momentary monetary gain” and instead consider the future of the NPP and the nation as a whole.

He emphasised that leadership should be based on credibility, integrity and character, rather than cash inducements.

“They are not voting for themselves,” he said. “They are voting for the sustainability and future of our party and our country.”