Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Trade Minister, has refuted widespread claims that he was influenced by former president John Agyekum Kufuor to enter politics.

He explained that he was not brought into politics by the former president. Mr. Kyerematen was speaking following his abrupt resignation from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and his subsequent declaration that he will run for president as an independent in the 2024 elections.

He emphasized that his coming into politics had nothing to do with Kufour.

“President Kufour did not bring me into politics.”
Alan Kyerematen

In response to claims that he was previous President Kufuor’s favorite child, he said that this widely held belief was “unfair” to the former leader. He thus denied being a ‘Kufour boy’.

He also spoke of how hurt the former president is whenever he speaks to him. He denied the widespread rumours that President Kufour sent him to the US to work and later become ambassador. According to Mr. Kyerematen, that makes the former president Kufour very unhappy.

“Sometimes, I talk to him and he feels really hurt.”
Alan Kyerematen

He pleaded that the public stay treat such rumor will contempt.

Alan Touts His Achievements

The former Trade Minister put across his hard work and long service both in his personal career and public service, locally and international. He indicated that at the age of 22, he was excelling as a manager at Unilever. Later, he formed the Young Executive Forum to back the NPP in 1992 when it was formed.

He therefore argued that the idea that he is supported and groomed by the former president is unfair. “I think it is unfair to President Kufuor but unfortunately this has continued for a very long time until he exited”, he added.

Mr Kyerematen announced his resignation in Accra at a press conference. The former Trade Minister’s decision comes at the back of his realization that his contributions were no longer needed in the party. Also, he alleged that his followers have since 2008 suffered violence and brutality from government cronies.

Despite his attempts to get the attention of the leadership of the party to resolve the situation, little has been done till now.

The former Trade Minister and former flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Alan Kyerematen, 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 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 since formed a movement, Movement for Change with butterfly as its symbol, which is set to deliver to the former Trade Minister’s presidential ambitions.