General News of Monday, 17 December 2018

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Joshua Alabi hints of scrapping NDC Filing fees if elected

Professor Joshua Alabi Professor Joshua Alabi

Flag bearer hopeful, Professor Joshua Alabi has hinted that he will make the filing of nomination free for all delegates when voted as the flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to contest in the 2020 general elections.

He said, “I have realized that our party needs resources and that is why people like me with good leadership skills have paid the GHc 300,000 to present myself to lead this party. If we handle this party very well, I think in the near future, flagbearers will not have to to pay for anything so that the common man with good ideas can lead this party and country at large”.

In addressing the media, he made this statement after submitting his forms at the NDC headquarters on Monday, December 17, 2018.

According to him, taking money from aspirants is not the best way to raise funds for the party, calling on the council to find innovative ways of funding the party.

“For those who supported the GHc300,000, there will be a time that we will be charging branch chairmen GHc10,000. We have to work and find innovative methods to resource our party, innovative ways to rebuild our country and innovative methods to find jobs for our teaming youth”, he added.

It is important to note that some party supporters made contributions towards his GHC300,000 filing fees.

Mr Alabi said “The supporters came home and gave me money and that is why you’ve seen me here. They want me to be the President and I know they’ll support me to go round the country”.

Stating that, one key reason for joining this presidential race is to create “everlasting” jobs for the youth since they are the future leaders of Ghana.

He made reference to the NDC losing 69 seats out of 72 in the tertiary schools which he feels is a disgrace to the party.

He added that investing heavily in the agricultural sectors will boost the economic growth of the country.

General Secretary of the NDC, Asiedu Nketia officially received the forms, appended his signature on the documents and assured aspirants of giving them feedback within a 72-hour period if there are any errors.

He said there will be a formal inauguration of the vetting committee, as well as the electoral team. Also, contestants will be told when the balloting will take place and their positions on the ballot paper in due time.

Asiedu Nketia therefore urged aspirants to get their polling agents ready in all the 276 polling centers for a smooth electoral process.

Chairman of the NDC, Ofosu Ampofo advised aspirants to admonish their supporters against exhibiting any unacceptable act on the election day.

He also cautioned that, all persons who would use social media as a destructive tool to tarnish the party’s image would be dealt with.