Deputy general Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has described as worrisome, the decision by former trades minister, Alan Kyerematen, to forfeit his right as a member of the party.

According to him, Mr Kyerematen has played a pivotal role in the party, hence, his decision to withdraw from the NPP poses some concerns.

He however indicated that all matters raised by Mr Kyerematen will be addressed by the General secretary of the NPP at 14:00pm.

Mr Mohammed concerted that it is very clear this is the time that the “party is going through a lot of resilience” and that the party’s strength will further be tested.

“Yesterday, the general secretary of the New Patriotic Party issued a statement to the press and he indicated that it is very unfortunate that this decision of Mr Alan is here at this particular time and the party will be having a press conference on a discussion that will be centered on the issues that are raised by Mr Alan.
“We have said he has been a longstanding member of the New Patriotic Party, for him to decide to forfeit his membership through a press address at this point in time is something that is very worrisome, and the party received this with very sad input and it’s very unfortunate.”
Haruna Mohammed

Furthermore, Mr Mohammed stated that the decision by Alan Kyerematen is something that has happened to every political party in the world, and Ghana is equally no stranger to such happening. He emphasized that there’s no “political party that has not tasted what is happening”.

“I think that while we live in a democracy, Mr Alan is entitled to his decision, while we respect his decision, the party will state our part at 2pm. So, the NPP is a united party, we are united by the diversity of ideas, and the intent of purpose. We will still forge ahead without any stumbling block on our way in breaking the 8. That is why we have called on the rank and file of the party to stay calm and nobody should attack Alan as a person because we still respect him and the party will strive on the strength of democracy.”
Haruna Mohammed

Concerns raised by Alan Kyerematen

Touching on some grapevine comments that Alan Kyerematen feels aggrieved and that the NPP has not been fair to him, particularly during the superdelegates, Mr Mohammed stated that the concerns raised by the former trades minister along with some other aspirants were being addressed.

He noted that he had the opportunity to speak to most of these issues referring to the party’s constitution, and insisted that the NPP only conducted an election and not a selection.

“So, an election on 26th August went ahead to further indicate the position of the New Patriotic Party on the democracy that we all look out for. Remember the New Patriotic Party is a conservative party, it is not a socialist party whereby there is that point that when this person is going, this person comes…”
Haruna Mohammed

Commenting on whether Alan’s exit will impact the NPP’s fortunes of breaking the 8, the deputy general secretary of the party stated that it is early days yet. However, he highlighted that there’s more time to election 2024 for the NPP to “pull a surprise”.

“Who knows what will happen? Let’s wait for the general secretary. The NPP has gone through a number of times several of this and we have come out victorious. We are not going to undermine Alan Kyerematen or any other person that feels the same way he feels. This party is a united party, and we believe that we will come out with a great message and that will bring everybody on board for us to forge ahead for victory 2024.”
Haruna Mohammed