Alan Kyerematen withdraws from NPP Presidential race

One of the flagbearer hopefuls of the New Patriotic Party, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has withdrawn from the race.

He promised to provide an indication of the role that he will play in politics in Ghana, after consultations with his family and other well-wishers, various stakeholders and interest groups.

Mr. Kyerematen who placed third in the party’s August 26 special delegates conference made the announcement in a press statement.

He said that after having carefully analysed the results of the said elections, it is absolutely clear to me from events leading to, during and after the elections, that the Special Delegates Conference was strategically and tactically skewed in favour of one particular Aspirant.

He also cited pronouncements made by some leading Members of the Party both before and after the elections; also lend weight to his observations.

According to him, the level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly unleashed on a significant number of Delegates at various Voting Centers across the sixteen regions, is unprecedented in the history of the Party.

“In addition, the fact that my Polling Agent in the North East region has suffered severe damage to his eye sight, arising from his bold and courageous effort to ensure compliance with the very rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections as approved by the Presidential Elections Committee, will forever remain a dark spot in the history of internal elections within the Party,” he said.

He described what he called various acts of violence and collusion reported in other Voting Centers as appalling, unconscionable, and despicable.

“I am committed to, and value the safety of those who work with me and for me, and I will always fight for their interest.
The question I keep asking myself is, “How did we get here as a Party in the first place, and how far are we prepared to tread on this dangerous path to self-destruction?” he stated.
Alan said he is not convinced that the circumstances referred to earlier, will not persist or even be escalated in the next round of elections, for which balloting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
“In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the Presidential Primaries to be held on the 4th of November 2023. In the next upcoming weeks, I will provide an indication of the role that I will play in politics in Ghana, after consultations with my family and other well- wishers, various stakeholders and interest groups,” he announced.
He wished all the other Aspirants well as they continue on their journey.

He expressed his profound gratitude once again to my family, the Alan 4 President (A4P) Campaign Team, and all his teeming supporters in Ghana and from around the world, who have supported him in diverse ways over the years.

“Please be assured that the battle is still the Lord’s, and that those who wait upon the Lord shall have their strength renewed,” he said.

Kyerematen has been a leading stalwart and key strategist of the NPP since its inception in 1992.

He is a founding member of NPP and has also served on the highest decision-making bodies of the NPP that shaped the Party’s strategic direction both in opposition and in Government.

He served on the NPP National Executive Committee, serving as a Member from 1992 to 2001 as well as on the Economic Management Team and Finance Committee of the NPP.

He is also a Founding Member of the Young Executive Forum (YEF), a youth advocacy and lobby group within the Party.

As Chairman of YEF from 1992 to 2001, he symbolized the essence and spirit of the new generation of party leaders.

Kyerematen has been one of the privileged few to have held membership of the National Executive Committee for over a decade, under the successive Chairmanships of B.J. DaRocha, Peter Ala Adjetey, Samuel Odoi-Sykes and Haruna Esseku.

As a result of his contribution to strategy development within the Party, he was appointed as a Member of the NPP/CPP Great Alliance Negotiating Team.

Kyerematen made an attempt at the leadership of the New Patriotic Party in 2007, capturing 32.30% of votes cast.

He was first runner-up to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who gained 47.96% of votes cast.

He made another attempt in 2010 where he placed second with 20.40% of total valid votes cast to Nana Akufo-Addo’s 77.92%.

In 2014, he once again came second to Akufo-Addo in the presidential primaries to elect a flag-bearer to lead the NPP in the 2016 general elections.

At the congress organised to shortlist the number of prospective candidates from 7 to 5, Kyerematen polled 7.97% of the valid votes cast compared to Akufo-Addo’s 80.81%.

In the final presidential primary to select the flagbearer, Kyerematen was first runner-up with 4.75% of the votes while archrival Akufo-Addo received 94.35% of the votes to win the contest.

On 11 January 2023, Alan John Kyerematen officially announced his intention to contest the NPP’s flagbearership race and also officially resigned from his position as the Minister for Trade and Industry.