Former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Yaa Jantuah has made a passionate appeal to the Electoral Commission (EC) to reassess its filing fees for presidential and parliamentary candidates. Specifically, she is advocating for a reduction in fees for political parties deemed “smaller” in stature, aiming to create a more level playing field and promote inclusivity in Ghana’s electoral process.
She argued that labeling certain parties as “smaller” is misleading, given that all political parties are required to pay the same filing fees to the Electoral Commission – GH₵100,000 for presidential candidates and GH₵10,000 for parliamentary candidates. She illustrated her point with a relatable analogy, Just as a younger sibling wouldn’t pay the same amount as their older sibling for household expenses, it doesn’t make sense for all political parties to pay the same fees regardless of their size or resources. This highlights the need for a more equitable fee structure that acknowledges the varying capacities of different political parties.
Nana Yaa Jantuah emphasized that if the Electoral Commission (EC) considers certain parties to be “smaller,” then it’s only logical to reduce their fees accordingly. This would mean that larger parties would bear a greater financial burden, while smaller ones would pay less. However, as long as all parties are required to pay the same fees and meet the same legal requirements, it’s inconsistent for the EC to label some as “smaller” parties. In essence, equal fees and requirements imply equal status, contradicting the notion of “smaller” parties.
She argued that a party’s electoral performance should not be the sole factor in determining its size or significance. She pointed out that her party’s decline in performance began around 2008, but emphasized that this does not diminish its importance.
Additionally, Madam Jantuah criticized the media’s bias towards the two dominant parties, NPP and NDC, which she believes has led to the marginalization of other political parties. She advocated for a more inclusive and representative political discourse, recognizing the value and contributions of all parties, regardless of their electoral performance.
