For not being able to meet one of the major criteria for the January 31, 2025, presidential primary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwabena Agyei Agyepong's bid has been placed "on ice" by the National Council of the party, Graphic Online has gathered from multiple sources.

Unlike the other four aspirants in the race who were all passed by the Vetting Committee of the party in its recommendation, which was presented to the National Council on Tuesday as part of major steps towards the election of the party’s next flagbearer for the 2028 elections, Kwabena Agyepong, has been given some time to fully comply with the criteria of the payment of a development fee of GH¢4million.

Kwabena Agyei Agyepong - NPP Presidential aspirant

Meanwhile, together with the other aspirants - Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyepong- they have all been invited for balloting on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the party’s national headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra.

An invitation letter dated October 7, 2025, signed by the Secretary to the Presidential Elections Committee, William Yamoah was addressed to all five aspirants for them to participate in the balloting exercise, which will determine their positions on the ballot paper.

The party itself has not officially commented on Kwabena Agyepong's payment of the development fee, but the invitation letter for balloting, which went to all the aspirants, congratulated them for successfully passing the vetting process and urged them to cooperate in upholding the party’s democratic principles.

Kwabena Agyepong's office has also declined to officially comment with the explanation that, at the moment, they were dealing with internal party issues, which were not for public consumption. 

As part of the qualification criteria for the NPP presidential primary, a filing fee of GH¢500,000 and GH¢100,000 for nomination, was required.

In addition to that, aspirants were expected to pay a development fee of GH¢4million. All payments were expected via banker’s draft in favour of the NPP National Headquarters.

The party has explained that the development fee does not necessarily mean that it was expected directly from the pocket of the aspirant, but they are supposed to mobilise supporters to raise funding for that.

Multiple sources have told Graphic Online that, for Kwabena Agyepong's qualification, the issue of the payment of the development fee was up for discussion at Tuesday's National Council meeting following a recommendation by the Vetting Committee that he has not fulfilled and complied with the criteria.

The sources hinted that Mr Agyepong has promised to sort it out, hence the decision of the National Council to give him time to do that.

Party officials contacted by Graphic Online for a comment on the issue have declined to comment. Others have said it was an internal issue they were dealing with for now.

Per the rules of the presidential primary, and in line with the NPP constitution, dissatisfied aspirants can file an appeal in writing to the National Executive Committee through the General Secretary within 48 hours of receiving notice of any adverse findings.

The National Council of the party met on Tuesday to consider the recommendations of the Presidential Vetting Committee.

The 10-member Presidential Vetting Committee, chaired by Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, a former Defence Minister and a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia in the Ashanti Region, submitted its report.

The vetting committee considered the party’s constitution, the rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections, and Articles 63 and 94 of the 1992 Constitution in arriving at its recommendations.