Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) member Alan Kyerematen has explained why he contested the 2024 general elections under the Movement for Change. According to him, the short period between his resignation from the NPP and the 2024 general elections made it impractical for him to establish a fully-fledged political party. This was revealed in an interview on Channel One TV on Monday, September 21.
Mr Kyerematen stated that although he had decided to leave the NPP and pursue an alternative political path, there was insufficient time to complete the organisational and legal processes required to establish a conventional political party. He subsequently contested the presidential election under the Movement for Change, which provided the political platform through which he could participate in the election while advancing the ideas and principles he had set out.
The Movement for Change was chosen as a political organisation because the available time did not permit him to establish a new party. Mr Kyerematen said, “When I left the NPP, the time was too short for me to organise a full political party but to be able still to show up in the general election, obviously, you needed some kind of vehicle.” He stressed that the identity of the vehicle was less important than the principles behind it.
The legal framework allowed him to contest through a political organisation rather than a conventional political party. Mr Kyerematen added that “The important thing was about the principle underpinning that political vehicle, which was the Movement for Change.” This suggests that the core values and principles of the Movement for Change align with his own vision for Ghana.
Mr Kyerematen's decision to contest the 2024 election under the Movement for Change has sparked debate among Ghanaians. Some have expressed support for his decision, citing the need for new political ideas and approaches. Others have questioned the legitimacy of the Movement for Change as a political organisation.
Despite the controversy, Mr Kyerematen remains committed to his vision for Ghana. He has continued to engage with Ghanaians, sharing his ideas and plans for the country's development. His supporters argue that his experience and expertise make him a strong candidate for the presidency.
The 2024 general elections were closely contested, with several candidates vying for the presidency. While Mr Kyerematen did not win the election, his decision to contest under the Movement for Change has contributed to the ongoing conversation about Ghana's political landscape and the need for new approaches to governance.
Key points
- Mr Kyerematen contested the 2024 election under the Movement for Change due to the short timeframe to establish a new party.
