Member of parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has revealed that it is likely quite a number of legislators from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), will run as independent candidates in the 2024 general elections.

According to him, the decision by former trades minister, Alan Kyerematen, to resign from the NPP and contest as an independent candidate will bring a new twist to the political scene.

“7th December 2024! New dynamics. Truly uncharted waters in Ghana’s political space. I foresee several NPP MPs victimised by the Bawumia-Nana cabal running as independent candidates with Alan.”
Sam Nartey George

Sam George following the resignation of Mr Kyerematen, urged Ghanaians to rally around to “#BuildTheGhanaWeWant”. He expressed the need for the public to vote massively for the National Democratic Congress.

“I have absolute faith and trust in John Dramani Mahama to deliver on this desire of the young people of Ghanaians. Let’s go.”
Sam Nartey George

Alan Kyerematen, a former flagbearer aspirant for the NPP, who withdrew from the flagbearership race following the assault of one of his executives during the superdelegates conference announced his decision to resign from the party and to contest as an independent candidate in the 2024 general election on September 25, 2023.

Mr Kyerematen indicated that he believes that he is the “leader for this time”.

“… Under the circumstances, and given the context provided I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning with immediate effect from the NPP to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana as an independent presidential candidate.”
Alan Kyerematen

Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change

Going forward, Mr Kyerematen stated that he will establish and lead a new MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE in Ghana. He explained that the brand logo for the movement is the “Monarch Butterfly, which politically symbolizes change and transformation, hope, and positivity”.

“It also communicates strength, endurance, spirituality, and trust, which are key traits that I cherish as a Political Leader. In Akan, it is known as Afrafranto. The brand motto of the MOVEMENT is ‘Ghana Will Rise Again’, which symbolizes hope for the future of Ghana”.
Alan Kyerematen

The concept of an Independent Candidate becoming the President of the Republic of Ghana though novel, he noted, will be the most innovative and revolutionary development in Ghana’s political history.

He underscored that it will indeed be a “watershed” development in Ghana, although similar examples of this model have been practiced successfully in Benin, in Africa, and other political jurisdictions.

“In a country like Ghana, that is currently embroiled in divisive political turmoil, an Independent Candidate who becomes President, will be a bipartisan and honest broker amongst different political parties, and will bring healing and reconciliation to our body politic.
“Ministers and other key Government officials will be appointed from all Parties and shall also include individuals who are apolitical but have a demonstrable and proven track record of performance, in their field of specialization.”
Alan Kyerematen

Furthermore, Mr Kyerematen stated that what Ghana needs now is a new leader and not a new political party. To this end, he revealed that the great nations of the world were built on the vision of great leaders and not on the back of political parties.

“There are multiple examples of such great leaders in political history around the world, including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln of the United States of America, Winston Churchill of Great Britain, Mahatma Gandhi of India, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Deng Xiaoping of China, and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.”
Alan Kyerematen

Commenting on the current political dispensation of Ghana under an Executive Presidency, he highlighted that the President of the Republic represents only one constituency which is Ghana, while different political parties can contest for Parliamentary seats on the ticket of their political parties.

Therefore, he stated electing an Independent Candidate as President, leading a “Government of National Unity”, will not only bring harmony to the legislature, but also facilitate the approval and execution of Government programmes and projects.

“Who better can moderate and lead such a political divide than an Independent Candidate, who has no direct ties with any existing political parties!!”

Moreover, Mr Kyerematen assured the rank and file of the New Patriotic Party that he still cherishes his relationship with the party, and that he is committed to the ideals of the founding fathers of the Party.

However, he noted that his decision to contest as an Independent Candidate will not destroy the Party, but rather provide the Party an opportunity to participate in a Government of National Unity in the future.