In relation to the raging debate over the exorbitant state of the filing fees declared by the National Executive Committee of the NDC, the parliamentary hopeful of the NDC in the Yilo Krobo constituency Mr. Michael Ologo has submitted to concerns being raised by some flagbearer aspirants of the opposition NDC to the effect that, the sanctioned filing fees as cleared by the party on Thursday via a media briefing in Accra, is too astronomical, and defies the doctrine of social democracy as ascribed by the NDC.
The General Secretary for the NDC together with National Chairman, Hon. Samuel Ofosu – Ampofo as well as some functional Executives in the party have told the press at the party’s headquarters on Thursday that the party has pegged the Nomination and filing fees at gh¢ 20,000 ( 200 Million), and 400,000 (4 Billion) respectively for the Presidential hopefuls in the party who wish to lead the NDC as its flag- bearer ahead of the 2020 general Polls.
The announcement by the General Secretary has raised heated debate among the aspirants as well as some supporters of the party who contend that the said amount is premised on a clandestine motive, and it will be in the interest of the party hierarchy to rescind their stand on the development which has gotten many talking in the party barely few hours after the General Secretary sanctioned it in the media.
But in a very subtle submission to foil outrage by the emerging controversy in the party, the General Manager of Universal Multimedia Company operators of Ahotor FM (92.3)and Radio One(100.7) and MP hopeful at Yilo constituency in the eastern region, believe the NDC should reserve its energies to brainstorm on modalities it will set to employ to kick out the NPP government from power , instead of debating themselves over the decision by NEC, in regard to the developing matter of the filing and nomination fees respectively.
Mr Ologo told anchor Teacher Kojo on ahotor fm 6 pm news on Thursday that, the NDC finds itself in a very disadvantage position in opposition and hence the party require enormous resources to run the 2020 campaign, taken into cognizant the laborious and demanding nature of effecting campaigns in the country, and the case of the party in opposition.
He also said that, the party need money to undertake several activities ahead of that very crucial elections ahead, immediately after the election of a flagbearer.
” Though I agree the said amount is astronomical, I humbly want to submit that, for someone to put himself up to lead a party like the NDC, he or she ought to be resourceful since the job of a president requires persons with good financial standing ” Mr. Ologo noted!
The Yilo NDC Parliamentary hopeful further admonished the party sympathizers to treat the issue with civility and tact , devoid of confusion. He lamented that the focus of the NDC should be geared toward ousting the Akufo Addo – Bawumia led government who he stated have unleashed untold hardships on Ghanaians, making it difficult for the citizenry to have three square meals daily.
He okayed assertion that, Democracy as an institution is expensive venture ,and that the NDC must positioned itself properly to brace up for such demanding development in the party.
” The NPP has heaped so much on Ghanaians such that nothing seemed to be working , am by this pleading to all and sundry to allow the elders and leadership of our party to handle the issue at the top whiles we on the ground stride to prepare the journey of 2020 from today” He reacted in defense in an attempt to elucidate on the matter.
By: Nana Dogbe|ahotoronline.com|Ghana
