Alan Kyerematen being cheered on by the crowd
Thousands of sympathisers of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the weekend took over the streets of Accra to walk with flagbearer hopeful of the party, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen.
The health walk dubbed, ‘Aduru Wo So Health Walk’, which has already been held in the Ashanti regional capital of Kumasi, drew several party members from all parts of the country.
The massive turnout at the walk for Alan Kyerematen raised hopes among some party supporters that the former Trade and Industry Minister is capable of winning the upcoming presidential primaries of the NPP.
It was attended by hundreds of party members and sympathisers beautifully clad in NPP T-shirts and other paraphernalia.
The health walk was characterised by singing and dancing, with some party members displaying placards with inscriptions such as, “Father For All”, “Ghana’s Hope”, “Jobs For The People, “Cash For The People”, “Industrial Titan”, “Mr Job 4 Youth” and “The True Unifier”.
A group of old students of Adisadel College – the “Santaclausians For Alan” seized the opportunity to endorse Kyerematen’s candidature during the walk.
Addressing the gathering at the end of the walk, Mr. Kyerematen said, the walk, aside of ensuring the physical fitness of party members, also forms part of his commitment of ensuring grassroots supporters are united to win election 2024.
“I’m confident the party is well prepared to win election 2024. As I have indicated earlier, I will contest for the presidential primaries in November 2023. I am pleading with delegates to consider me as the only candidate to help ‘break the eight’ agenda,” he said.
He indicated that he has the political experience to win the 2024 presidential election for the party, asking the delegates to give him the nod to lead the party.
According to him, all that the NPP needed was an experienced and mature leader to “break the eight”.
He is of the opinion that he is the individual with the above attributes for the 2024 election.
The former minister was optimistic that his “Great Transformational Plan (GTP) was aimed at the fundamental upliftment in the fortunes of the country.
“Through re-engineered economic, technological and agricultural paradigms, GTP is aimed at sustained growth and prosperity of the country.
“It is aimed at adopting cutting edge technologies in all facets of productivity for maximum output for the good of the people,” he added.
He commended party members in Greater Accra for their massive turnout and show of support, urging the delegates among them to ensure his victory in the primaries since that was the only way the party could retain power.
For his part, Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, Member of Parliament, Tema West, said Mr. Kyerematen had been a long-serving member of the NPP and that just as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was endorsed when the party felt it was his turn, same must be done for Kyerematen because “it is also his turn to lead the party.”
He said Alan’s competency had been proven over time through his initiatives in the area of industrialisation, and that he had contributed greatly to the growth of the party and past governments.
“The competency of Alan is not in doubt. He has done so much even from President Kufuor’s time when he played a major role in the President’s Special Initiative,” he added.
Alfred Mensah-Onumah, an old student of Adisadel College 1997 year group and co-ordinator of the “Santaclausians For Alan”, touted Kyerematen as an industrial genius who when given the nod, would cause an industrial revolution in the country.
“Alan has the know-how and stands tall when it comes to industrialisation, especially in adding value to our raw materials. He played a major role in AfCFTA and even helping Ghana become its headquarters. He also successfully spearheaded the government’s One District One Factory (1D1F) programme as a minister.
“We believe it is his time and, therefore, we appeal to all delegates to vote him as the flagbearer. Once that is done, they can be assured that they will win the general election,” he said.
Also, Member of Parliament (MP) for Anyaa Sowutoum and a member of Alan for President 2024 campaign team, Dr. Adomako Kissi indicated that the NPP primaries contest is a done deal for the former Minister for Trade and Industry. According to him, the contest won’t be based on influence of money but competence and broader impact of one’s capability over the years in the NPP fraternity.
Other dignitaries present at the walk include Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei Asare, MP for Ngleshi Amanfrom Slyvester Tetteh, former Communications Director of the NPP, Yaw Buabeng Asamoah and other executives of the party.
By Vincent Kubi