In a highly engaging discussion on X, hosted by social media influencer KALYJAY and attracting over 16,000 participants, the presidential candidate of the rapidly growing Afrafranto Alliance, Alan Kyerematen, issued a strong response to recent remarks made by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

Mr Kyerematen categorically rejected the claim that he bears responsibility for the economic challenges under the Nana Addo-Bawumia administration, a claim he believes is aimed at insulating Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia from growing criticism.

Kyei Mensah Bonsu had attempted to shift the blame for the nation’s economic struggles by suggesting that the Cabinet Economic subcommittee, chaired by Mr Kyerematen, held more influence than Dr Bawumia’s Economic Management Team (EMT).

In a scathing rebuttal, Alan Kyerematen dismissed these assertions as a desperate attempt to distort the truth, explaining that Cabinet subcommittees, including the Economic Committee, wield no power relative to decision-making.

He further clarified that Cabinet subcommittees merely prepare proposals for the full Cabinet, where decisions are made collectively.

Mr Kyerematen highlighted key principles of governance - collective responsibility and individual accountability, arguing that it is disingenuous to hold him responsible for the failures of other government officials, including the Finance Minister.

He pointed to his successful tenure as Trade and Industry Minister, particularly the achievements of the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative, Business Resource Centres, the Ghana Automotive Development Industry, and the AfCFTA initiative, among others, as evidence of his competence and effectiveness.

In support of Mr Kyerematen’s assertion that Vice President Bawumia has been in charge from day one, it is important to note a previous statement made by Senior Presidential Advisor Yaw Osafo Maafo, who publicly praised Dr Bawumia for the economy’s successes during better times.

"This raises the question: if Bawumia was celebrated for his leadership when the economy was thriving, why is he now being shielded from accountability as the economic situation deteriorates? Truth be told, the presidency is made up of the President and Vice President."

The two swear to be ultimately responsible for whatever happens in the country. Therefore, the Vice President can’t have his cake and eat it."

Furthermore, the glaring disparity in government support between Alan Kyerematen’s 1D1F programme and Dr Bawumia’s Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) initiative brings to the fore the real power dynamics in economic management.

While the 1D1F programme, which created 170,000 permanent jobs, received only GHC 400 million, NABCO, providing 100,000 temporary jobs, was allocated nearly GHC 4 billion. This significant imbalance in resource allocation strongly suggests that Bawumia had far greater control over economic decisions than Mr Kyerematen.

Additionally, a pivotal moment in 2021 offers further evidence of Mr Kyerematen’s limited influence in economic management. When Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was unavailable due to health issues, Mr Kyerematen was initially set to present the national budget.

However, due to internal party politics, the responsibility was instead given to Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu. This incident further undermines the narrative that Mr Kyerematen held significant sway in the economic management of the Nana Addo-Bawumia administration.

The forthrightness of Alan Kyerematen’s responses during the discussion left many of the youth participants questioning the NPP’s decision to elevate Dr Bawumia, who has clearly failed in his economic management role, over a brilliant and accomplished leader like Mr Kyerematen, who has demonstrated a proven track record of success.

This growing sentiment among the youth could have significant implications for the upcoming elections, as the youth gravitate towards Mr Kyerematen’s youth-centered policy prescriptions on youth development and job creation.