Political Scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Kwame Asah- Asante, says there is nothing wrong with the fees charged by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for filing of nomination by its flagbearer hopefuls.

According to him, it is a means to test a candidate's ability to raise money for the state should they become president.

 “You are going to lead the country, they are not saying necessarily you should dole out the money from your pocket. Your ability to raise it [money], is a function of your leadership skill,” he said.

His comments come in the wake of the GH¢500,000 charged as a filing fee and GH¢30,000 as a nomination fee for presidential aspirants whilst parliamentary aspirants have to pay GH¢5,000 for nomination forms and GH¢40,000 as filing fee.

The amount has sparked concerns as to why a party that touts itself as one for the grass roots will be requesting such sums of money from aspirants.

However, Dr Kwame Asah- Asante speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, on Wednesday, insisted that it is a way to check if the aspirant has the skill to raise funds for the country when it is needed.

“If you were leading this country and there is a need to organise resources which you are going to do from time to time, it should not be difficult for you, you can raise it through family and friends, sympathisers we want to see that skill and all that.

“For me, there is nothing wrong with it, you are either able to do it or you forget it. Then we separate the boys from the men,” he told host, Blessed Sogah.

He stressed that this is the first step an aspirant has to take to prove that he is competent enough to run the affairs of the state.

“If you are able to demonstrate your ability to generate that results, then it gives you the first card for you to compete and then the next one, is your ability to convince delegates you have the message you have the understanding of the economic problem and the solution to these economic problems,” he added.