Is it Alan’s turn?
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been one of the two dominant parties in the politics of Ghana since the return of the country to constitutional democracy in 1992, the other party being the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater 
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been one of the two dominant parties in the politics of Ghana since the return of the country to constitutional democracy in 1992, the other party being the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Although there have been other parties since 1992, the presidency has been won by the two equally so far with the NDC winning the presidency in the first two four-year terms (J.J. Rawlings – 1993 to 2001) and NPP for the second eight-year period (J.A Kufour -2001 to 2009).
The NDC won back the presidency and took office in 2009 after a second-round defeat of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the December 1998 presidential election by Professor J.E.A Mills. Although Prof. Mills did not finish his first four-year term, the presidency was taken over by John Dramani Mahama, Prof. Mills’ Veep in line with constitutional provisions and went on to win the 2012 election to finish eight years for the NDC.
Having won the election of 2016 after the NDC’s eight years and that of 2020, many political pundits believe that the NDC is in line to win the 2024 elections, come what may in line with historical antecedents.
But the NPP is determined to break the eight-year syndrome and has chosen Breaking the Eight as its slogan for the next general elections in December, 2024.
To be able to break the eight, the NPP needs to present a formidable candidate who can defeat NDC’s apparent candidate, John Mahama.
So far, a number of leading NPP members are known to be eying the party’s presidential slot. Among them are Food and Agriculture Minister, Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former party General Secretary, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong and Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong and current Vice President Dr. Mahammoud Bawumia.
With the number of leading contenders, it is normal for fans of these candidates to goggle for their preferred candidates to be elected to lead the party to the elections.
The question has therefore been who, among the contenders will be given the slot by delegates to represent the party in the elections.
The Daily Crusading Guide was privy to a health walk organized in Kumasi by admirers of Trade and Industry Minister, Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen calling on him to contest the slot.
Unlike some others, Mr. Kyeremateng himself has not given any indication yet that he will contest the flagbearership but last Saturday’s walk and subsequent call on him to contest should give him a clear indication of the massive support he could get to represent the NPP to break the Eight.
The successes he has achieved since assuming the office of the Trade and Industry Ministry, driving the government’s One District One factory agenda and his lead role in the establishment of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, headquartered in Ghana, makes him a darling boy, both locally and internationally.
Seen as a unifier, his commitment to creating jobs to make available cash to the people is bound to attract party delegates to vote for him as flagbearer and for the wider Ghanaian electorate to throw their weight behind him to capture the Presidency, come December 2024.
No doubt, Alan stands out among the number of NPP stalwarts who are eying the slot. We are mindful of what has happened at party elections before and the fear for delegates. But we are confident that bearing any unforeseen circumstances, Mr. Alan Kyerematen will emerge as the presidential candidate for the 2024 election.
What is left now is for him to accept the invitation from the many supporters who thronged the streets of Kumasi at the weekend and officially declare his interest to contest for the slot in line with the party’s constitutional provisions.
This will enable hi numerous admirers to come out openly to campaign for him.
