Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, who has made several attempts to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP), no longer believes the Elephant is a winning symbol.
He has thus jettisoned it and declared his intention to contest the 2024 presidential election as an independent candidate, with a Monarch Butterfly as his symbol, and ‘Ghana Will Rise Again’ as his motto.
The former Minister for Trade and Industry, under the Akufo-Addo government, announced his decision to vie for the presidency and unveiled his symbol yesterday in Accra at a press conference.
Addressing the gathering, which included journalists and supporters, Alan Kyerematen explained that the Monarch Butterfly represents change and transformation, hope and positivity in politics.
“It also communicates strength, endurance, spirituality and trust, which are key traits that I cherish as a political leader. In Akan, it is known as Afrafranto. The brand motto of the movement is “Ghana Will Rise Again,” which symbolises hope for the future of Ghana,” he observed.
HIJACK
In his calm voice, Mr. Kyerematen chronicled the events that had compelled him to leave the NPP for the second time and contest on his own. According to him, the NPP today has been diluted, compared to how it was in 1992, which convinced him to join.
“The Party has been hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, government appointees behind the curtain, power brokers, and some unscrupulous party apparatchiks,” he alleged.
Considering that his services to the NPP in his three decades of joining the party “are not appreciated”, Alan dreads his continuous stay would create further “tension and division.”
He stated that the current scenes were an exact replay of the circumstances that led to his decision to resign from the NPP in 2008.
“Under the circumstances, and given the context provided, 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,” he announced to a resounding applause and cheers from the supporters who were present.
NEW MOVEMENT
In a neatly tailored white shirt over a pair of trousers and shoes to match, Alan Cash indicated that the new movement would be led and powered by the youth of the country.
He emphasised that the youth represented the future of the nation, and yet constitute the most vulnerable section of society, although they constituted 55% of the total registered voters for 2020.
He also mentioned unemployment in the country and pointed out that, clearly, the public sector is not an option, as it is already overburdened.
The new movement stands on four dominant themes, which he named as: Change the political status quo by breaking the ceiling of duopoly in NPP and NDC politics; Promote the establishment of a government of national unity; Build consensus on a national development agenda, and Inspire behavioral and attitudinal change in citizens.
LEADER
The independent presidential hopeful, Alan Kyerematen, mentioned that Ghana did not need a new political party, but a new leader.
He presents himself as that leader with unmatched integrity, a unifier, competence, visionary and the one who can guarantee the economic and industrial transformation of Ghana.
The four dominant themes for his change agenda, according to Alan, find space in the broader scope of the Great Transformational Plan, which he announced some months ago.
NDC, NPP PRESIDENT
Concluding his address, Mr. Kyerematen opined that his going independent would not destroy the NPP. On the contrary, it would provide the party with an opportunity to participate in his government.
He urged the NPP to join his government and avoid the risk of going into opposition with no dividends.
Speaking to the NDC, Alan Cash claimed that the Umbrella Fraternity voting for him would be better off avoiding the risk of remaining in opposition “if you do not win in 2024.”
He made the same call on the smaller political parties, urging them to join hands with him to “unite Ghana for our collective benefit.”
STATEMENT
Meanwhile, the NPP, minutes after Alan’s declaration, issued a statement, signed by the General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong. In the release, he urged for calm from party supporters, as it prepared to respond to the decision by Alan Cash at 02:00 GMT today.
