Embattled former Trade and Industry Minister Alan John Kyerematen has resigned from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The disappointed presidential aspirant who placed third during the party’s Super Delegates Congress will contest the 2024 election as an independent presidential candidate.

At a much-publicised press conference on Monday, September 25, he made the announcement of his immediate resignation.

"Fellow Countrymen and Women, under the circumstances and given the context provided, I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning with immediate effect from the New Patriotic Party to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana in the 2024 General Elections, as an Independent Presidential Candidate." 

He explained "My decision to contest as an Independent Candidate will not destroy the Party, but instead provide the Party an opportunity to participate in a Government of National Unity in the future, and avoid the risk of going into opposition with no dividends, in what arguably will be a difficult general election in 2024.

"You can vote for your preferred choice of NPP Parliamentary Candidate and vote for Alan John Kwadwo
Kyerematen in the Presidential elections in December 2024, to become the sixth President of the fourth Republic of Ghana."

Alan's Movement for Change Party

Mr Kyerematen said for him to "Actualise this goal, I will establish and lead a new Movement for Change in Ghana.

"The brand logo for the MOVEMENT is the Monarch Butterfly, which politically symbolizes change and transformation, hope, and positivity. It also communicates strength, endurance, spirituality, and trust, which are key traits that I cherish as a Political Leader.

"In Akan, it is known as Afrafranto. The brand motto of the b is “Ghana Will Rise Again,” which symbolizes hope for the future of Ghana." 

The former Trades Minister said, "The new Movement will be led and powered by the youth of Ghana. Out of the over 17 million registered voters in the 2020 general election, the youth aged 18-35, years constituted over 9.4 million voters representing 55% of the total voters." 

"I believe, with unwavering conviction, that I am the only leader who, with unmatched integrity can guarantee the economic and industrial transformation of Ghana, the restoration of confidence in political leadership, and the unification of an increasingly divided nation.

"My unique selling proposition as a leader is Vision, Competence, Integrity and Action."

Alan and party structures

Mr Kyerematen had previously considered joining an existing political party with established structures but abandoned that decision under undisclosed circumstances.

His resignation from the NPP will mark the second time the former NPP flagbearer hopeful has left the party, having done so for the first time in 2008.

It also signifies his readiness to part ways with the party when his ambition of leading the NPP doesn't materialise.

In 2008, Mr. Kyerematen resigned from the NPP after losing the Presidential primaries to the then-candidate Akufo-Addo, citing the intimidation of his supporters as the reason.

Similarly, he recently withdrew from the NPP Presidential race after finishing a distant third in the super delegates' congress held on August 26, 2023, citing intimidation and an unfair playing field as reasons for his withdrawal.