Former minister for trades and industry, Alan Kyerematen, has formally announced his decision to contest the flagbearership of the New Patriotic Party when the Party officially opens nominations for that purpose.
He has also vowed to be a transformational leader when eventually voted as President to lead the country. He explained that he will build on what has already been carved out by previous leaders, thereby ensuring continuity.
“If by the will of God and through your goodwill, I am voted first, as the flagbearer of the NPP and subsequently as President of the Republic in the next general elections, I will become the transformational leader of our time, who will build on the foundations laid by successive leaders of our nation over the last sixty-five (65) years.”
Alan Kyerematen
To achieve this strategic goal of transforming the country to become the shining star of the new Africa, Mr Kyerematen noted that he will as President, launch and lead the execution of the Great Transformational Plan (GTP) of Ghana which will span the period 2025 to 2030.
Mr Kyerematen expressed that Post-COVID Economic Recovery Programme (P-CERP) currently being implemented with the anticipated support from the IMF from 2023 to 2025, will be a transitional economic programme leading to the roll out of this Great Transformational Plan.
Mr Kyerematen indicated that the seven critical considerations will provide the “soft power” for the effective implementation of the Great Transformational Plan.
Providing a brief insight into the key elements of the Great Transformational Plan, he explained that seven critical considerations would need to be taken into account to guarantee the success of the Plan. Consequently, he emphasized the relevance of the “primacy of the Private Sector in our national development agenda”.
With this, the former trades minister explained that the Private Sector, both domestic and foreign, formal and informal has to be at the center of the transformational agenda.
“The Government’s focus must be to facilitate the process of making our private sector competitive, by creating an enabling environment for businesses.”
Alan Kyerematen
Commenting on attitude to work and enforcement of discipline, Mr Kyerematen highlighted on the need for Ghanaians to appreciate the need for discipline in all spheres of national lives and change attitude to work. He stated that whether one is working for the Private sector or for Government, as a worker, “you are not doing a favor to your employer”, rather it is the duty of the worker to ensure that he earns a living from the efforts of his labour.
According to him, Ghanaians must focus more on getting things done than talking. Ghana, he noted, is gradually becoming a NATO country, in other words “No Action, Talk Only”. As such, it needs to remember the use of time as a “zero-sum game”.
Former trades minister’s Transformational plan for Ghana
Additionally, he expressed his thoughts on politics in Ghana by describing it as “too divisive”. This, he stated, keeps out some of the best talents in offering themselves for political appointments.
“Yes, we pride ourselves as being the bastion of democracy in Africa, but that does not mean that we should allow partisan politics to destroy our collective interests.”
Alan Kyerematen
Subsequently, the former trades minister expressed his profound gratitude to His Excellency the President for the opportunity given him to serve the good people of Ghana in his administration over the last six years, and also for graciously accepting his resignation as Cabinet Minister responsible for Trade and Industry, with effect from 16th of January 2023.
He eulogized President Akufo-Addo by revealing that he “has been a good friend of mine and will always remain so based on our shared commitment to the ideals and principles that inspired the founding fathers of our great Party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP)”.
“The President has laid a strong foundation for the socioeconomic development of our country, although I believe there are things that could have been done differently. My vision is to build a superstructure on this foundation that will bring prosperity to our nation. “
Alan Kyerematen
