Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, known by many as Chairman Wontumi, has ordered all constituency chairmen of the party to remove all branded paraphernalia of former member Alan Kyerematen from their offices.
“In view of Hon. Alan Kyerematen’s resignation from the party, all his posters, banners, flyers and paraphernalia at our party offices in all the constituencies must be removed with immediate effect,” he stated in a memo dated Monday, September 25, 2023.
Mr Kyerematen announced his resignation from the party on Monday and added that he was going to contest the 2024 elections as an independent candidate.
“I wish to use this platform to announce that I am honourably resigning with immediate effect from the New Patriotic Party to contest for the high office of the President of the Republic of Ghana in the 2024 General Elections, as an independent presidential candidate,” he told some supporters at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.
He allayed fears of members of the NPP that his decision will affect their party.
“My decision to contest as an independent candidate will not destroy the party but rather provide the party an opportunity to participate in a government of national unity in the future, and avoid the risk of going into opposition with no dividends, in what arguably will be a difficult general election in 2024.”
In all these, Mr Antwi-Boasiako stressed: “Once he has forfeited his membership, it is just right and fair that these items are removed from our offices.”
Ashanti Region is the stronghold of the party and where Mr Kyerematen hails from.
A political analyst, Professor Kobby Mensah, speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 on Monday, September 25, stressed that his independent candidacy will deal a big blow to the NPP in the Ashanti Region.
“Apart from the fact that he has significant following within the NPP itself, he is from the Ashanti [Region], a crucial constituency for the NPP and, for that matter, where perhaps his following is quite strong
“I don’t see how NPP with Alan Kyerematen’s candidacy and the possible intense competition in terms of campaigning, don’t forget campaigns have an effect on elections’ outcomes. If he is able to mount a very rigorous, compelling campaign, I suspect the Ashanti will be one of the significant areas that is going to have a very heavy intensive campaigning
“And that means that he could possibly chip away a significant amount of votes to deny the NPP the 75 percent and above that perhaps they need to win elections.
“So, I think it is really a big blow to the NPP especially in the Ashanti Region.”
SOURCE: additional file from 3NEWS