Founder and leader of the newly established United Party (UP+), Alan Kyerematen, says the formation of the party is the beginning of “a new dawn in Ghanaian politics,” pledging to end divisive governance, promote unity, and transform the economy through innovation, discipline, and ethical leadership.
Speaking at the media launch in Accra yesterday, Mr Kyerematen said the UP+ would break Ghana’s political duopoly and usher in “a golden age of business and prosperity” for all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity, or religion.
“This new dawn will end the culture of winner-takes-all and bring economic transformation that translates into massive job opportunities,” he said.
He explained that the UP+ would serve as a centrist political movement, uniting all Ghanaians behind a shared vision of progress. According to him, Ghana has operated at “half strength” for decades because talented individuals have been excluded from national governance due to partisanship.
“If Ghana is an army, then we have been marching on half strength. Some of our best minds have been side-lined because of the nature of our politics,” he noted.
Vision 2040: Ghana as Africa’s economic powerhouse
Mr Kyerematen unveiled the party’s vision, dubbed “Vision 2040 – The Paradise Project”, which seeks to make Ghana the economic powerhouse of Africa by 2040. The UP+’s mission, he added, is to build “one united, peaceful, secure and prosperous country” that offers equal opportunity to all citizens.
He emphasized that national unity, peace, and security are prerequisites for economic prosperity.The former Trade and Industry Minister said the UP+ would focus on providing every Ghanaian with the chance to realize his or her full potential, whether in carpentry, medicine, or engineering, while prioritizing youth, women, and the vulnerable.
Outlining the core values of the UP+, Mr. Kyerematen said the new political movement would be anchored on integrity, ethical leadership, discipline, meritocracy, and excellence.He also pledged to promote tolerance, patriotism, entrepreneurship, and respect for the rule of law, while fostering decent political discourse in the media space.
The UP+, he explained, would operate as a “Centre party” bridging the ideological gap between the center-left National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the center-right New Patriotic Party (NPP)—and championing what he described as “UP+,” an evolved version of the historical United Party tradition.
Economic transformation through GTP
Mr. Kyerematen announced that the United Party’s policy framework would be guided by the Great Transformational Plan (GTP), first developed during his leadership of the Movement for Change.
The GTP, he said, contains detailed strategies for stabilizing the macroeconomy, reducing national debt, and promoting industrialization, with a focus on ten strategic industries that will position Ghana as “Africa’s new manufacturing hub by 2040.”
He warned that Ghana’s debt repayment challenges would intensify between 2026 and 2028, calling for prudent financial management and industrial diversification.
Agriculture, education, and health priorities
On agriculture, the UP+ leader said his government would promote both food security and cash crop development, introducing a new initiative known as “Licensed Private Food Markets” to enhance food supply, reduce costs, and empower local agribusinesses.
He also pledged to align education with industry needs, shifting focus from theoretical learning to skills-based, practical training.“By 2029, young people will prefer trade and technical schools to traditional degrees, because that’s where the jobs will be,” he asserted.
In health, the United Party plans to introduce Universal Health Coverage and strengthen primary health care through a neighbourhood-based system, similar to general practitioner (GP) models in advanced economies.
He added that the party would integrate herbal and traditional medicine into the national healthcare framework, acknowledging that up to 70% of Ghanaians currently depend on it.
Pan-Africanism and foreign policy
Mr Kyerematen also reaffirmed his Pan-Africanist commitment, saying Ghana’s development must align with the broader prosperity of the continent.He concluded by emphasizing that all UP+ policies including those on energy, digitalization, governance, security, and tourism are comprehensively outlined in the Great Transformational Plan.
“The United Party is the future of our country. We bring renewed hope for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Ghana,” he declared to applause.
The Party’s official colours are yellow, symbolizing Ghana’s gold wealth; black, representing the Black Star of Africa; and white, signifying purity and ethical leadership.
Mr. Kyerematen, who previously served as Ghana’s Trade and Industry Minister and led the Movement for Change, said the transition to the United Party marks a step toward consolidating his reform agenda and “putting Ghana first.”
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