Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, has recommended Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, a former minister of trade and industry, to form his party after dropping out of the contest for the New Patriotic Party’s presidential race.
The president of UTAG-UG claims that Mr Kyerematen has the support of some Ghanaians and can thus become a major player in the upcoming general elections.
After the party is formed, Mr. Kyerematen, according to the political scientist, is free to choose another person to serve as its flagbearer.
“Where he goes from here depends on him, I think he can choose from four scenarios. If you look at his statement, he creates an impression that he’s focused on the bigger picture. He thinks that he has an appeal to the people of Ghana, so if he’s not going to get the vehicle of NPP through which he could appeal to Ghanaians, then, he may want to go and appeal to Ghanaians in whatever capacity”
Professor Gyampo
The political scientist claims that the mechanisms for the exercise were not properly managed in the party’s best interests. As a result, he tasked the party’s leadership with moving more quickly to solve the issues Mr. Alan Kyerematen and other candidates had brought up following the party’s Special Delegate Conference.
The inability of the party to resolve the issues brought up by Mr. Alan Kyerematen and other candidates, according to Professor Gyampo, may lead to the later withdrawal of the remaining candidates seeking to be the party’s flagbearer ahead of the November 4 presidential election.
“I warned that if things aren’t done fairly, there could be a breakup. I also warned about the public comments of those expected to be seen as neutral arbiters. There will be more pull-outs. This isn’t the NPP BJ da Rocha and others led.”
Professor Gyampo
NPP Commits to Resolving Grievances
Alexander Afenyo-Markin, a member of parliament for Effutu and the elections committee’s spokesperson, has indicated that all issues raised are being addressed and that after appropriate consultation with party stakeholders, the committee will release its full report and make it public.
“The EC, aspirants and their representatives, we received some proposals, we deliberated same, and we have agreed to incorporate these as part of the guidelines for November 4. We have also agreed that soon thereafter, we shall proceed with the balloting.”
Afenyo Markin
The elections committee also made a hint that the Electoral Commission, candidates, and modality for the elections on November 4 will soon be outside
Alexander Afenyo-Markin also told the media that a new date for the balloting will be decided when the procedures have been worked out.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) postponed its scheduled balloting for its flagbearer candidates, which was set for, Wednesday, September 6, 2023, mainly due to Mr. Alan Kyerematen’s withdrawal and other concerns that have been raised by some of the aspirants concerning the party’s internal electoral processes for its flagbearer-ship election
Meanwhile, Sammi Awuku, a former national organizer for the New Patriotic Party and Coordinator of the ‘Bawumia for President Campaign team’, has urged the Alan Kyerematen Campaign Team to back Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s initiative to ‘Break the 8’ in the upcoming 2024 General Elections.
He asserts that the success and result of the general elections in 2024 will depend on the party’s ability to remain together at this pivotal time. To achieve this, he urged all supporters of candidates who failed to make the top 5 as well as supporters of contenders who made the top 5 to band together.
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