As the campaign for the flagbearership position of the New Patriotic Party takes center stage, not only has the Nana Addo–Alan rift intensified, but also the use of unconventional methods such as text messaging and other smear campaign methods by some candidates to make their opponents unpopular. Alan Kwadjo Kyerematen, popularly known as "Alan Cash', a leading contender for the flagbearership position, has not been spared such vile campaign methods, as news making the rounds suggest that he could face possible court charges for mismanaging state funds during his tenure as Minister of Trade, Industry and Presidential Special Initiative, under the Kufuor administration, including text messages aimed at making him unpopular. However, Mr. Yaw Buaben Asamoah , spokesperson for the Alan campaign says his boss is well focused and would not be distracted by such 'malicious' misinformation, most of which are thrown about within media circles against his boss' personality. Mr. Yaw Buaben Asamoah challenged those behind the allegations "to channel their concerns through the appropriate channels, before Alan Cash would address them accordingly". Anything short of that, Mr. Buaben said, it would be taken for a pinch of salt. According to him, Mr. Kyerematen has in the past eight days been walking around Accra and interacting with the people and he is poised to repeat Ibis strategy over the whole country. He told The Chronicle that Alan's campaign, which began in Accra some weeks ago brought some new breath into the body politic of the party. He said Alan received rousing commendation from the Greater Accra delegates during his 10 day tour of the greater Accra Region, where he delivered his message of hope and vision including his employment creation module. Meanwhile, only two New Patriotic Party presidential candidate aspirants have picked up forms to contest the position for the 2012 elections. Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, head of the Cardiothoracic Centre at Korle Bu, was the first to pick up his forms followed by lawyer Kwame Kodua, whose ambition of becoming President dates back to 1992. Source: Chronicle