The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly rejected claims made by former Minister Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen that the party has been “hijacked by a selected group of Party leaders and elders, and government appointees behind the curtain power brokers.” Kyerematen had made these allegations during his press conference on Monday, September 25, where he announced his resignation from the NPP and declared his intention to contest as an independent candidate in the 2024 elections.
In response to Kyerematen’s assertions, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Koduah, held a press conference on Tuesday, September 26, to dismiss the claims. Koduah presented a counterargument, stating that the party had taken significant steps to decentralize its decision-making process and ensure broader participation in the selection of its leaders.
He noted that the NPP had expanded its electoral college, allowing for a larger number of delegates to participate in the process of selecting the party’s flagbearer. Koduah emphasized that, historically, the selection of flagbearers in Ghanaian political parties had been the privilege of a few, but the NPP had changed that by enfranchising a significant number of delegates. Currently, approximately 200,000 delegates will participate in selecting the party’s next flagbearer, a substantial increase from the 1,998 delegates who did so in 1992.
Koduah’s comments aimed to refute Kyerematen’s claim that the party had been controlled by a select group and highlighted the party’s commitment to decentralizing power to include all party stakeholders.
Additionally, Koduah addressed Kyerematen’s allegations of intimidation against his supporters, stating that government appointees, including cabinet ministers who openly supported Kyerematen, remained in their positions and had not faced any form of intimidation.
The NPP’s response underscores the party’s commitment to presenting a unified front and countering Kyerematen’s narrative as he embarks on his independent presidential campaign for the 2024 elections.
