Former NPP member and founder of the United Party (UP), Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has criticized the New Patriotic Party, stating that it has strayed from its roots and no longer represents the United Party tradition. In an interview with Channel One TV, Kyerematen expressed his disagreement with the NPP's direction, citing a fundamental difference in ideology. He emphasized that his break with the NPP was not personal but rather a result of the party's deviation from the original ideals of the UP tradition.
Kyerematen, a long-serving NPP member and former trade minister, had previously contested the party's presidential primaries twice before breaking away to form his own political party. He believes that the NPP has abandoned the moral order and values of the UP tradition, which he thinks are essential. Kyerematen's new party, the UP, aims to revive these values and provide a fresh platform for the United Party tradition.
According to Kyerematen, a political tradition should not be tied to the fortunes of a single party, as its values can outlive a party that has departed from them. He positioned his UP as the vehicle carrying forward the moral order and founding ideals of the tradition, while also widening its ambitions to address the broader Ghanaian project. This move signals a continued fragmentation of the NPP's traditional base as Kyerematen builds out his party structures.
Kyerematen's remarks add to a period of visible realignment within Ghana's centre-right political space. For voters who have long identified with the United Party tradition, his comments frame the UP as an alternative for those who feel the NPP no longer reflects that heritage. The UP's emergence may attract organised support ahead of future elections, but its impact remains to be seen.
Kyerematen's exit from the NPP followed friction over the party's direction, according to his account. He has since established the UP as a standalone platform, describing it as an effort to revive values he says the NPP has set aside. The UP's next steps, such as organisational milestones, membership drives, or plans for future elections, are not specified.
The United Party (UP) tradition refers to a strand of Ghanaian political thought historically linked to the opposition to Kwame Nkrumah's Convention People's Party in the years around independence. Kyerematen's new party claims direct lineage to that tradition and positions itself as its rightful ideological successor. This development has implications for Ghana's political landscape.
Kyerematen's criticism of the NPP and his efforts to revive the UP tradition values have sparked interest in his new party. As the UP develops its political agenda and party structures, its impact on Ghana's centre-right political space will become clearer. The success of the UP will depend on its ability to attract and retain supporters who feel the NPP no longer represents their values.
Key points
- Alan Kyerematen quit the NPP due to its departure from United Party tradition values.
- Kyerematen's new UP party aims to revive the original ideals of the UP tradition.
- The UP's emergence signals a continued fragmentation of the NPP's traditional base.
