Dr. Kobby Mensah, a Political Risk Analyst and Dean of the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana says the massive participation of the health walk organised by people who believe in the ideals of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential hopeful, Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, shows that they want him to lead the party.
The orgainzers of the health walk (Adurowoso walk) in support of Alan Kyerematen reportedly put over hundred thousand people on the streets of Kumasi to walk in support of the Trade and Industry Minister’s ambition to lead the party into the 2024 elections. The leadership of NPP is, however, not happy with the organisers and has threatened sanctions.
But whilst the organisers and some of the speakers at the walk await their sanctions, Dr Mensah is lauding them for bringing such a large number of people together without any recorded incidence of violence.
“There is quite a lot of apathy in the system. People are not really getting close to politicians. So to be able to bring such numbers at a time when people are not ready to get closer to the politicalsystem, I think was quite interesting and surprising. That speaks to the kind of energy some candidates are able to bring to the table”, Dr.Kobby Mensah recently said in an interview on TV3.
Alan Kyerematen, 66, has so far not officially declared his intention to contest the NPP presidential primary, but it is believed he might be doing so somewhere next year. He has contested the party presidential primary three times, but losing to the current president – Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
He first contested in 2007 where he obtained 32.3% of the valid votes cast as against Akufo-Addo’s 47.96%. He again contested in 2010 and 2014.
Though Akufo-Addo will not be standing, Alan Kyerematen has another formidable contestant – Vice President Mahamudu Bawumiah.
Others are; Dr Owusu Afriyies Akoto, the minister for Agriculture and Kenney Ohene Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central are also in serious preparation to join the contest.
Surveys conducted so far point to the fact that Alan and Bawumiah are the front runners and will sweep majority of the votes.
