Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a former founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and now an independent candidate in election 2024, has criticized what he claims are state-sponsored efforts to undermine his campaign in Ashanti region.
During a meeting with senior journalists , Kyerematen alleged that recent media reports misrepresenting his campaign’s momentum in the Ashanti Region were orchestrated by national security in collaboration with the NPP.
“The media should be ashamed for allowing national security to sponsor fake stories on their platforms,” he stated, calling out reports that have allegedly downplayed his influence in the NPP’s stronghold.
“The NPP is deceiving their supporters with these articles, creating an impression that all is well for them in Ashanti,” he said, vowing to demonstrate his support on December 7.
“I tell you, 50 percent of the people in the NPP are in my camp. Many will vote for me, supporting ‘skirt and blouse’ in defiance of party lines.”
Alan Kyerematen expressed frustration over claims that his candidacy aims to break the NPP, labeling such claims as “insulting.”
He also criticized the NPP and National Democratic Congress (NDC) leadership, accusing them of engaging in illegal mining, or “galamsey,” which has devastated many rural communities in Ghana.
Mr. Kyerematen expressed disbelief that the president would avoid action on galamsey in an election year.
“That’s an irresponsible statement,” he remarked. “Why should we wait three more months before taking action on illegal mining?”
He criticized the centralized control over mining licenses, asserting that officials in Accra issue these licenses without consulting local chiefs, creating disarray in rural communities. “The people issuing these licenses live in Accra and are detached from the realities on the ground,” he said.
Reflecting on NPP’s past election strategies, Kyerematen credited initiatives like the “One District, One Factory” and “One Constituency, One Million Dollars” programs for the party’s success in 2016, rather than the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy.
He argued that while Free SHS is often highlighted, it was these economic policies that won votes. “In 2008 and 2012, NPP campaigned with Free SHS, but it was not enough until we added economic initiatives,” he explained.
Kyerematen dismissed claims from unnamed sources suggesting that other candidates like Nana Kwame Bediako might have an edge over him, denouncing such predictions as “lotto forecasting” based on manipulated data.
“Some are cooking figures in their rooms, creating these data sets. December 7, 2024, will reveal who has real support,” he declared, predicting a decisive victory in the first round of the presidential election.
With his pledge to challenge the status quo, Kyerematen has positioned himself as a unifying and reformist candidate.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
