Pegging Regional Executive Filing Fees at Exorbitant Levels Promotes Monetized Politics in the NDC

The decision to peg filing fees for Regional Executive elections at such exorbitant amounts is not only worrying, but a direct promotion of monetized politics in a party that prides itself on being social democratic and grassroots‑driven.

The NDC was built on the toil, sweat and sacrifice of the ordinary branch executive — the hardworking grassroots member who defends the ballot box in the rain and sun without taking a pesewa. When we set fees that only the highest bidder can afford, we are telling that grassroots member that his loyalty and sacrifice do not matter — only his pocket does.

How do we preach against vote‑buying when we ourselves have placed a price tag on leadership? How do we encourage honest, competent and committed comrades to lead when we have already disqualified them on the basis of money before the first ballot is cast?

This practice has three dangerous consequences:

1. It kills competence: We will not get the best leaders; we will get the richest aspirants.

2. It excludes the youth and women: The very groups we claim to empower cannot afford these fees.

3. It breeds corruption: When a person pays such huge sums to become a regional executive, he sees it as an investment to be recouped — not a call to service.

If we want to rescue the NDC in our respective jurisdictions and restore hope to the grassroots, we must reverse this monetization. Leadership should be about track record, commitment and the ability to mobilize people — not the ability to pay.

Let us place the party back in the hands of the people.

YENTIK GARIBA
North East Regional Vice Chairman Hopeful, Nalerigu