I am still ready to contest Akufo-Addo for flagbearer – Alan Kyerematen

• Posted on April 11, 2014April 11, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Minister of Trade and Industry and one-time presidential aspirant of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), has once again declared his intention to join the flagbearership race of the party.

In a statement issued in Accra yesterday under the guise of ‘goodwill message’ to delegates attending Saturday’s National Delegates’ Congress in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital, Alan stated unambiguously that he would contest for the flagbearership position when the time comes.

“I know that some people would still want to hear from me about my intentions to contest the flagbearership of our party when the time comes.

“I don’t think that so far I have left anybody in doubt as to my readiness and intention to do so, but just in case anybody still has any doubt, my answer is YES! I am still ready and will contest when the time comes,” he stated.

The declaration of intent by Mr. Kyerematen, who contested for the race but lost to Nana Akufo-Addo, comes weeks after the latter had made his intention of seeking re-election clear, amidst wide endorsement from party faithful across the length and breadth of the country.

Pain

Alan reminded members of the NPP of the fact that they had lost two consecutive general elections, and also lost a momentous and historic presidential election petition at the Supreme Court.

He was therefore of the strongest conviction that “the Tamale Conference has the most critical task of electing the party’s national leaders who will lead us into the 2016 battle for power.”

To him therefore, the challenge facing the party going into the 2016 general elections was a formidable one.

This, the statement asserted, was because “we are dealing with an incumbent who came to power through what we consider to be very questionable means,” and underscored that the NPP would want to use 2016 to prove by hook or by crook that they won the 2012 elections fairly.

“We can therefore not leave anything to chance or complacency in our preparation for 2016,” he indicated, while charging the delegates thus, “We should be totally hungry, thirsty and fully prepared for nothing but overwhelming victory.”

That, in his words, “will depend on the calibre of leaders we elect in Tamale come April 12.”

Appeal

Mr. Kyeremanten stated, “I am therefore appealing to all delegates to do their best to elect for our party competent leaders who will work their blood out for victory in 2016.

“It is important that approaching 2016, the party gets leaders who are competent, hardworking and totally committed to the party’s cause. Exercise that power in the best interest of the party, devoid of any persona; or petty considerations.”

Alan also appealed to the delegates “to elect National Executives who will do all in their power to quickly heal the wounds of the contest and galvanize the party for total unity,” since according to him, “the party’s chances of winning 2016 definitely lie in our capacity to quickly regroup and unite solidly to fight as a harmonious entity.”

He charged, “Let us therefore make party unity, especially after Tamale, a key cornerstone of all our strategic thinking and planning to ensure victory in 2016. Power is what our party needs, and power we will secure once we stand solidly united.”

By Charles Takyi-Boadu