Political scientist, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante, has revealed that Trades minister, Alan Kyerematen, may want to contest for presidential flagbearship of the New Patritotic party (NPP) following his resignation as a minister.
According to him, the move by Mr Kyerematen is well within his ambition of furthering his presidential ambitions.
“If indeed the story is true that he’s resigned, I will not have any doubt as to whether the minister will take that decision this time around… I know that he would want to contest. So, strictly speaking, I’m sure it is in line with that program. I believe that it is to further that vision of contesting for the election. Other than that, he will stay.”
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante
Dr Asah-Asante stated that the former trades minister’s resignation is “not coming too early” despite the fact that elections will be held in 2024. He equally explained that some statements of a possible reshuffle of his ministry by President Akufo-Addo is not likely.
The political scientist noted that if it’s the case that he wants to avoid the possiblity that the “President will shortchange him by putting him in a lesser position, so that it can affect his political fortune,” he does not pre-empt the President having that intention.
“I know he will not go on that tangent just to cause disaffection within his own party and undermine somebody who has worked very hard for the party and served this party very well in this government. But if you look at the other bit that it is the case that the minister wants to contest, that is more probable that he wants to contest…”
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante
Dr Asah-Asante urged other ministers within government nursing the ambition of vying for the presidential flagbearership with the party to resign to give others the chance to serve. He explained that these persons are still there and “they are doing all manner of things and it affects or undermines the work that they do as ministers”.
“So, I’m sure he has taken a cue from all people have said and wants to step down and begin to work and work properly for what he wants to carve for himself in 2024.”
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante
Commenting on the President’s reluctance in accepting the resignation of Mr Kyerematen, Dr Asah-Asante stated that the trades minister is a treasure to government considering his integrity in government. Owing to this, he indicated that it will be a tough call for the President to accept his resignation.
Nonetheless, he opined that it is normal in politics for ministers to resign and it doesn’t affect the smooth running of government.
“Definitely, Mr Alan Kyerematen as we have known him from Kufuor’s era to date for me, has been a very hardworking man, he is a very honest person and the President will do the needful by convincing him to stay. But of course, every individual has his own ambition and that is the ambition of Alan Kyerematen [and] he will not budge…”
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante
The political scientist revealed that once Mr Kyerematen has resigned, the President will fill the vacuum and government will run and it will not undermine the efforts of government at all.
Elaborating on what the President should look out for in his election of a new minister to fill the vacant position, Dr Asah-Asante expressed the need for the President to consider competence. He noted that every government wants results, so whoever the President put into his team as part of the body of ministers, must come and perform.
“… He must also be prepared to work with the team that he has in the ministry, so that you don’t superimpose your will on them. It is true that as a minister, you owe it a duty to yourself and government that you champion the agenda of government but you need to also consult and confer with your team players.”
Dr Kwame Asah-Asante
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