The former Trade Minister and former flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Alan Kyerematen, has formally resigned from the party and expressed his intention to contest in the 2024 general elections as an independent candidate.
“I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning with immediate effect from the New Patriotic Party to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana in the 2024 General Elections, as an Independent Presidential Candidate.”
Alan Kyerematen
In addressing the press at a long-awaited forum to tell the nation his future in Ghana’s politics, he indicated that the NPP has little semblance to the party he joined in 1992. He mentioned that the party has been hijacked by government apparatchiks, hence his breakaway.
He further indicated that the just-ended Super Delegates Conference was skewed in favour of one candidate. This and other issues of violence and brutalities arising from the NPP Super Delegates Conference in August has made it clear to the former Trade Minister to resign from the party.
“It was absolutely clear … that the super delegates conference was strategically and tactically skewed, maneuvered in favour of one particular candidate.”
Alan Kyerematen
Mr. Kyerematen has thus formed a movement, Movement for Change with butterfly as its symbol, which is set to deliver to him his presidential ambitions.
Alan’s Longstanding Service To NPP
Alan Kyerematen is a founding member of the New Patriotic Party. He has served the party since 1992 when it was formed. In contextualizing his longstanding service, he reminded the press of his service and sacrifices to the party from 1992.
I was prevailed at that time upon by some seniors of the party … to sacrifice the opportunity to contest for the leadership of the party and rather support my senior colleague aspirants. From 1996 to 2000, I played a leading role is in supporting the bid of the then-candidate J. A Kufuor to win the general elections and to become president in 2001.
Alan Kyerematen
He also explained his controversial participation in the 2007 NPP Delegates Conference and his subsequent resignation from the party in 2008.
According to the rules of the electoral process at that time the two of us were programmed for a second run ballot. It was in response to this development that I made my landmark declaration that to prevent a further deterioration of peace in an already divided party I will make the supreme political sacrifice not to contest but rather support my senior brother to contest as the flagbearer for the NPP in the 2008 elections.
Alan Kyerematen
According to Allan, notwithstanding his sacrifices for the party’s peace, he and his supporters were alienated from the party. He emphasized that they were usually treated with disrespect by persons who aligned with the leadership of the party. His supporters have suffered countless violent attacks since their loss.
Despite the sacrifices I made to unite the party as referred to above, there were serious post-primary attacks on my supporters all over the country and an open show of hostility. Some of my supporters were victims of brutality and continue to bear the scars of that treatment.
Alan Kyerematen
I made several representations to the then leadership of the party, drawing their attention to the rancorous and divisive behaviour of some elements in the party. Regrettably, however, my representations went unheeded. As a consequence, I gave notice of my decision to resign from the party in protest against the blatant alienation of my supporters orchestrated by elements align with the leadership of the party at that time.
Alan Kyerematen
He mentioned also that, all the assurance of the leadership of the party to address his grievances has not materialized up to date.
Unfortunately, however, all the promises made by the party leadership were never fulfilled and the divisive attacks on my person and my supporters remained for several days thereafter and have continued up till today.
Alan Kyerematen
Accordingly, the former Trade Minster has resigned from the party and ready to contest in the 2024 General Elections as an Independent candidate.
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