The former Minister of Trade of Ghana, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, has become the first official candidate for the post of Director General of the World Trade Organization. The 57-year-old economist and former Ambassador of Ghana to the United States has expressed a desire to change the WTO if he is to take over after Pascal Lamy, whose mandate expires on September 1st of next year, leaves his post. Previously, a number of countries announced their intention to nominate candidates, including Brazil, New Zealand, Jordan and Mauritius. The process for making nominations began on December 1 and will end at the end of the month. After all nominations are received consultation will begin among the 157 member countries of the WTO with the name of the new head to be announced by May.