Wednesday, September 12, marked a pivotal moment in Ghana’s political landscape as Alan Kyerematen officially filed his nomination to contest the 2024 presidential elections as an independent candidate, backed by a political alliance known as the Afrafranto Alliance.

His entry comes at a time when the youth are increasingly disheartened with the political status quo, offering a glimmer of hope for young Ghanaians seeking a leader who understands their struggles and aspirations.

Mr Alan Kyerematen has fulfilled his promise of selecting a youthful running mate by picking Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD), a lawyer, broadcast journalist, corporate executive, and youth activist. KOD’s choice has already sparked excitement among the youth on social media.

After filing his nomination, Mr Kyerematen reiterated that he is only a transitional leader fighting for the youth to have the opportunity to lead the country. To this end, he has also pledged that 50% of his appointees will be youth.

Central to his campaign is the Great Transformational Plan (GTP), which directly addresses the needs of Ghanaians, particularly the youth. Unlike the manifestos of the major political parties, which have often failed to deliver, the GTP outlines a clear and actionable strategy for economic transformation, job creation, and national development. For the millions of young people facing unemployment and underemployment, Alan Kyerematen’s plan offers a real opportunity for economic stability, growth, resilience, and prosperity.

With a strong track record in both the public and private sectors, Alan Kyerematen brings a wealth of experience. His tenure as Minister of Trade and Industry and his international achievements at the United Nations and World Trade Organization have earned him a reputation as a results-oriented leader. For young voters, his focus on creating jobs, supporting entrepreneurship, and fostering skills development positions him as a candidate who can provide practical solutions to their pressing concerns.

The Afrafranto Alliance, supporting Alan Kyerematen’s bid, is gaining momentum among civil society groups and grassroots movements, many led by young activists. Frustrated with the broken promises of traditional parties, these groups view Mr. Kyerematen as a leader capable of transcending party lines and focusing on the nation’s future. His proposed government of national unity, drawing from all sectors of society, signals a departure from the winner-takes-all politics that have long characterized Ghana’s governance system.

Alan Kyerematen’s candidacy also presents Ghana with an opportunity to break free from its reliance on external institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Both the NPP and NDC have overseen economic downturns that resulted in IMF bailouts. Alan Kyerematen’s independent run, anchored by the GTP, offers a fresh approach to building a self-sustaining economy.

His emphasis on fixing the macro-economy, launching a new agricultural revolution, industrial transformation, and investing in tourism infrastructure with private sector partnerships has caught the attention of many Ghanaians. Besides, his governance reforms, which proposed replacing the Council of State with a Second Chamber, establishing an Anti-corruption Czar with prosecutorial powers, and limiting his administration to just 40 ministers, have resonated widely.

Furthermore, Alan Kyerematen’s focus on mindset and behavioral change, promoting respect for law and order, patriotism, work ethic, and discipline, has been hailed as a standout feature of the GTP. His advocacy for private sector participation in building economic and social infrastructure further strengthens his development agenda, while his environmental and natural resource management policies resonate with youth eager for change.

As Alan Kyerematen filed his nomination, the 2024 election is shaping up to be a battle for the hearts and minds of young voters. His independent candidacy offers a clear alternative to the political establishment, with a focus on job creation, skills development, and economic transformation. In Mr. Kyerematen, young Ghanaians may have a candidate who not only understands their challenges but is ready to take decisive action for a brighter future.

Mr. Kyerematen, a distinguished global economist, Lawyer, development consultant, and trade expert has led significant projects across Africa. His achievements include founding Empretec, which nurtured 60-70% of Ghana’s top businesses, spearheading Enterprise Africa to promote private sector growth in 14 African countries, facilitating the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade, initiating One District, One Factory (1D1F), which created 170,000 jobs, and establishing the Ghana Automotive Development Industry, employing young engineers.