Dr. Samuel Sarpong Ankrah, Founder and Leader of the Alternative Force for Action (AFA), has thrown his support behind the Electoral Commission’s decision in setting GHC100,000 filing fee for presidential candidates.
In an interview with ABC News Ghana, he declared the fee “feasible” but quickly shifted focus to deliver a scathing critique of Ghana’s two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Dr. Ankrah accused the NDC and NPP of leading Ghana into a “neo-colonial state,” where decisions benefit a select few rather than the broader populace.
“These two parties have gotten themselves again in a Neo-Colonialist state, not doing things to benefit its people but to benefit a few and accomplices,” he lamented.
His sharp words reflect growing concerns about the direction of Ghana’s economic policies, particularly in the oil sector.
Highlighting the mismanagement of Ghana’s oil production, Dr. Ankrah questioned why the country exports more crude oil than it consumes, missing out on domestic benefits.
“There are decisions that could have taken this country far beyond where we are, but because of certain accomplices, these decisions are being neglected,” he argued, pointing to the influence of vested interests in shaping national policy.
As part of his campaign for the upcoming December 2024 general election, Dr. Ankrah emphasized the need to engage directly with the people, sharing his experiences with Shea Butter women in DaMango as an example. He criticized political elites for relying too heavily on media platforms, stating, “Instead of us sitting on TV stations and radio stations drumming noise of what we think we know but not reflecting on the ground.”
