Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed worry about insults aimed against Alan Kyerematen, an independent Presidential contender for the 2024 election.
Alan Kyerematen, a prominent member of Ghana's ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), resigned from the party on September 25, 2023, in order to run for president as an independent candidate.
Kyerematen, who previously served as President Nana Akufo-Addo's Minister of Trade and Industry, had sought the NPP's presidential candidacy in 2014 and 2019, but was unsuccessful on both occasions.
During his retirement address, Kyerematen stated that he believed he was the best choice to lead Ghana into the future, which drew condemnation from both members of his own party and opposition members.
However, the NDC's National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, believes that individuals such as Alan Kyerematen and Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe should not be exposed to criticism or insults because they are working for Ghana's secure future.
"I hear some of our members insulting people like Alan Kyerematen and others like him," he remarked.
He went on to say that Alan is "assisting Ghana in getting rid of a dictator and the dictator's party.... This tyrant is pretending to be a democrat.... Using state institutions to repress dissenting voices. So Alan is actually helping Ghana," Asiedu Nketiah remarked on Angel FM.
Asiedu Nketia went on to say that criticizing Alan Kyerematen was unnecessary because "shooting some birds is a waste of bullet.... "
Alan Kyerematen's departure has dealt a significant blow to the NPP, which is fighting for re-election in the 2024 presidential election. The party has been chastised for its economic management and a string of corruption scandals.
Kyerematen is a popular figure in Ghana, and many regard him as a viable alternative to the two main parties, the National People's Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He will, however, encounter a number of obstacles in his presidential candidacy, including the difficulty of organizing a statewide campaign without the endorsement of a major political party.
It remains to be seen whether Kyerematen's resignation would lead to the departure of other high-profile NPP members. If this is the case, it might severely erode the NPP's chances of re-election in 2024.