Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Former Trade and Industry Minister, has officially handed over the ministry to caretaker minister, hon Samuel Abu Jinapor.
This follows the resignation of the substantive minister, Alan Kyerematen, who officially left office on Monday January 16. President Akufo Addo subsequently appointed Samuel Jinapor to take charge of the ministry, pending the appointment of a substantive minister.
A Jubilee House statement on Friday, January 13, said “The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has tasked the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, MP, to assume responsibility for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, with effect from Monday, January 16, 2023 pending the appointment of a substantive replacement for the outgoing Minister, Mr. Alan Kyerematen.”
Earlier, the President had appointed Finance Minister, Hon Kenneth Ofori Atta, as caretaker Minister, but a new release indicated that the MP for Damongo will take over from the previous sector minister.
The former Minister of Trade and Industry submitted his resignation letter to the President on Thursday, January 5 and formally declared his intention to contest the NPP flagbearership race. According to him, he will pick the form when nominations are opened by the party.
Delivering an address in a national broadcast, the man popularly called ‘Alan Cash’ expressed his appreciation to the President for the opportunity to serve the people of Ghana and his readiness to be a transformational leader should he be voted as President.
“Fellow countrymen and women, if by the will of God and through your goodwill, I am voted first, as the flagbearer of the NPP and subsequently as President of the Republic in the next general elections, I will become the transformational leader of our time, who will build on the foundations laid by successive leaders of our nation over the last sixty-five (65) years.”
Alan
Some names tipped to run for the NPP flagbearer position when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s tenure ends include Vice President Dr. Bawumia and Minister for Trade and Industry Alan Kyerematen.
Others include the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Afriyie Akoto, former Energy Minister Boakye Kyerematen Agyarko, and former Railway Development Minister Joe Ghartey.
Regions In The North
Over the weekend, regions in the north issued a statement to thank President Akufo Addo for Jinapor’s new office.
“From the North in general, this statement is to graciously thank H.E. the President for the confidence reposed in this young minister of today,” the statement said.
The release was signed by Lawyer Sulley Sambian, North East Regional Secretary; Prof. Hudu Zakaria, Northern Regional Secretary; Dr. Tanko Daniel, Upper West Regional Secretary; Elvis Figo Awonekai, Upper East Regional Secretary and Issah Mohammed, Savannah Regional Secretary.
The statement also disclosed that the Northern regions were very appreciative of the recognition of such a young, courageous and intelligent brain to assist in the governance of the country. “The posture of Mr. President in the nurturing of younger politicians into government is commendable”, the statement said.
Pairing Alan and Bawumia Not a Realistic Proposal
Meanwhile, a former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ohene Ntow, has stated that the idea of pairing Alan Kyeremateng and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the 2024 Presidential race is an unrealistic proposal. “That is not a proposal to be considered”, he noted.
Explaining his reason, the former General Secretary cited the party’s constitution, saying that an elected candidate has the constitutional right and privilege to select a running mate after which comes endorsement by the party’s council.
Using President Akufo-Addo as an example, Mr Ohene Ntow explained that the President during the time he was elected, proposed a few names who could be his running mate but were rejected by members of the council. Subsequently, the council itself proposed a few names that were rejected by President Akufo Addo.
According to him, the President then selected Dr Bawumia who was not a member of the party. He is of the view that running mates should not be forced on Presidential candidates and that democratic principles must rule. He explained that forcing a running mate on a Presidential candidate would set a ‘dangerous precedent.’
Mr Ohene-Ntow argued that “people seem to want a certain arrangement by all means” especially between Mr Alan Kyeremateng and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, however, he would reject that feeling outright.
