NPP’s GH¢5,000 parliamentary application fee could sideline women, youth – GenCED

The Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED) has warned that the reported GH¢5,000 parliamentary candidate application fee introduced by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) could deepen financial barriers to political participation, particularly for women, young people and persons with disabilities. The NPP recently announced a GH¢5,000 application fee for parliamentary aspirants, alongside a GH¢2,000 fee for declaring interest.

The party has defended the charges as necessary to ensure that only serious candidates proceed to the nomination stage. In a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026, the organisation said although political parties had legitimate administrative and organisational costs, their candidate selection requirements should not unnecessarily disadvantage qualified individuals from groups historically underrepresented in political leadership.

It questioned whether the growing cost of competing for political office was making access to leadership increasingly dependent on financial resources rather than candidates’ competence and commitment to public service. “For GenCED, this development raises a fundamental question about Ghana’s democracy: Does every qualified citizen have a fair opportunity to compete for political office, or is access to leadership increasingly determined by financial capacity?” the statement said.

GenCED said women aspiring to parliamentary office often faced additional challenges in mobilising the resources required to contest elections. These include unequal economic opportunities, limited access to influential political networks and sponsorship, as well as the disproportionate burden of unpaid care and domestic responsibilities. It warned that the GH¢5,000 application fee could discourage qualified women who lacked wealthy sponsors or established financial networks from entering the political contest.

The organisation added that the application fee was only one part of the financial demands candidates faced, with aspiring MPs also expected to mobilise resources for transportation, campaign activities, constituency engagement and internal party elections. “When the ability to pay becomes a significant determinant of who enters the political contest, Ghana risks narrowing the pool of potential leaders and perpetuating women’s underrepresentation in Parliament,” it said.

The organisation also raised concerns about the implications for young people and persons with disabilities (PWDs), who may have the qualifications and ideas to contribute to national development but lack the financial resources and backing available to more established political figures. It said substantial financial requirements at the initial stages of the candidate selection process could prevent emerging leaders from competing, regardless of their capacity to serve.

GenCED called on the NPP to review the application fee and assess its potential impact on women, young people and economically disadvantaged aspiring candidates. It also recommended that the party: Introduce transparent fee reductions or waivers for eligible candidates facing structural financial barriers. Clearly communicate how application fees are determined and how the funds collected are managed.

Strengthen practical support for underrepresented groups seeking to participate in internal party elections and political leadership. The organisation further urged other political parties to review their candidate selection and financing arrangements to ensure that financial requirements did not unnecessarily restrict inclusive political participation.