The Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, Ben Ephson, has offered counsel to former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, discouraging him from pursuing an independent political path.
Ephson has expressed his anticipation that Mr. Kyerematen’s performance in the 2024 elections, should he choose to run as an independent candidate, is unlikely to be impressive.
Alan Kyerematen made an official announcement on Tuesday, September 5, wherein he informed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of his decision to withdraw from the race for the party’s 2024 flagbearer position, slated for Saturday, November 4.
In the initial round, known as the Super Delegates’ Conference, Kyerematen secured the third position, trailing behind Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.
In his resignation statement, Mr. Kyerematen hinted at suspicions regarding the Super Delegates’ Conference being biased in favor of a specific aspirant and indicated that he would reveal his future political course in Ghana after consulting with his family, well-wishers, various stakeholders, and interest groups in the upcoming weeks.
Speculation has arisen suggesting that the perennial NPP flagbearer aspirant might consider running as an independent candidate this time around.
However, in an interviews with the media on Thursday, September 7, Ben Ephson voiced his skepticism, asserting that such a decision would not bode well for Kyerematen.
Ephson argued that those who supported him initially did so primarily because of his long-standing affiliation with the NPP.
“In the next upcoming weeks, I will provide an indication of the role that I will play in politics in Ghana, after consultations with my family and other well-wishers, various stakeholders and interest groups.”
“I don’t think that he will do well at all as an independent candidate,” he said, adding that “it is up to him to take political decision”.
Ephson concluded by advising Mr. Kyerematen to consider either remaining within the NPP or remaining aligned with the party and its objectives, emphasizing that the choice ultimately rests with Kyerematen himself.