Former Minister for Trade and Industry and aspiring presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen has urged party members to rally behind him as flagbearer for the 2024 presidential elections.
He emphasized that his candidacy holds the potential to secure victory for the NPP and break the 8.
Addressing NPP delegates in Nhyiaso constituency in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, August 9, Kyerematen addressed the prevailing sentiment that his candidacy is one capable of securing electoral success for the NPP.
He stated, “Everybody knows that if the NPP goes to the election in 2024 with Alan Kyerematen as the flagbearer, he will win and become the President of Ghana.”
He drew a comparison between the experiences of previous presidents, including John Mahama and President Akufo-Addo, and stressed his own qualifications as a candidate with a strong background within the NPP.
Echoing the voices of many party members, the former Trade Minister, emphasized his potential to not only secure victory but also to unify the party and maintain its hold on power.
He appealed to the party delegates to consider his track record within the NPP, stressing his historical involvement in the party’s formation and early financial support.
He stated, “In 1992 when we formed the NPP, those of us with financial wherewithal to finance the party formed the Young Executives Forum with me as their chairman.”
“Members of the Forum included Former Finance Minister; the late Baa Wiredu who was my secretary; Minister for National Security Kan Dapaah, Mac Manu, the late Courage Quarshigah, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Kwaben Agyapong, Osei Agyei and many more others. I was their chairman.”
“So if chairman of the Young Executive Forum, which financed the NPP when it was formed in 1992 says he was to be president, what is your problem,” he quizzed?
He also emphasized his dedication to addressing crucial issues facing Ghanaians, particularly the need for job creation and support for the private sector.
He positioned himself as a champion of economic growth and a unifying figure within the party and pledged to support NPP polling stations executives by paying them monthly stipends.
Mr. Kyerematen’s address also touched on the need for a presidential candidate who can connect with the party’s historical journey, and stressed the importance of party loyalty and experience in governing.
Underscoring the importance of party unity, Kyerematen reminded the delegates of his previous sacrifice in the 2007 NPP flagbearer contest when he withdrew to allow President Akufo-Addo to go unopposed.
“If I sacrificed my ambitions for the success of the party in 2007, and I come to you again today to vote for me and you ignore me, then nobody will make that kind of sacrifice again in the future,” he asserted.
Kyerematen’s address serves as a call to action for party members to consider his candidacy as one that aligns with the party’s aspirations for victory, unity, and effective leadership as the NPP gears up for the 2024 elections.