Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen
A flagbearer hopeful of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, withdrew yesterday from the race to become presidential candidate of the party, citing intimidation of his supporters at the recent Super Delegates’ Conference, among others.
According to him, after closely analysing the outcomes of the said elections, it became evident to him from events preceding, during, and following the elections that the Special Delegates’ Conference was purposefully and tactically skewed in favour of one particular aspirant.
Referencing his public statement issued on August 27, 2023, Mr. Kyerematen said the pronouncements made by some leading members of the NPP both before and after the elections, also lend weight to his observations.
“The level of intimidation of varying intensity, directly and indirectly unleashed on a significant number of delegates at various voting centres across the 16 regions, is unprecedented in the history of our party,” he noted in a statement issued yesterday.
He added that the fact that his polling agent in the North East Region suffered severe eye damage as a result of his bold and courageous effort to ensure compliance with the very rules and regulations for the conduct of the elections as approved by the Presidential Elections Committee will forever be a dark spot in the history of internal party elections.
According to him, this incident and various acts of violence and collusion, reported in other voting centres, are appalling, unconscionable, and despicable.
“I am committed to, and value the safety of those who work with me and for me, and I will always fight for their interest. The question I keep asking myself is, how did we get here as a party in the first place, and how far are we prepared to tread on this dangerous path to self-destruction?” he asserted.
He continued, “I am not convinced that the circumstances I have referred to earlier, will not persist or even be escalated in the next round of elections, for which balloting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6, 2023.”
“In light of the foregoing, I wish to confirm that I am honourably withdrawing from the process that will lead to the presidential primaries to be held on the 4 of November 2023,” Mr. Kyerematen announced.
He stated that he will provide an indication of his involvement in Ghanaian politics in the coming weeks after consulting with his family and other well-wishers, various stakeholders, and interest groups.
He wished all the other aspirants well as they continue on their journey, and used the opportunity to express his profound gratitude once again to his family, the Alan 4 President (A4P) Campaign Team, and all his teeming supporters in Ghana and from around the world, who have supported him in diverse ways over the years.
“Please be assured that the battle is still the Lord’s, and that those who wait upon the Lord shall have their strength renewed,” he concluded.
Media Engagement
Earlier, Mr. Alan Kyerematen canceled a planned media engagement for yesterday, citing “unforeseen circumstances”.
Mr. Kyerematen, aka Alan Cash, has been running for the NPP flagbearership since 2008, and he was expecting to make the top two in the just-ended Super Delegates’ Conference, but Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, beat him to it with 132 votes, and he finished third with 95 votes.
DAILY GUIDE gathered that Mr. Kyerematen had planned to pull out from the race and contest the 2024 presidential race not on the ticket of the NPP.
By Ernest Kofi Adu