Founder and leader of Movement for Change, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has advised the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako popularly known as Chairman Wontumi to be temperate in his comments over his recent resignation from the ruling party.
In response to the former Trade Minister’s resignation from the NPP, Chairman Wontumi during an interview conducted on Wontumi TV portrayed Mr Kyerematen as ungrateful, especially in light of the considerable support and opportunities that the NPP had extended to him.
He suggested that Alan’s departure from the NPP could potentially result in adverse consequences for him.
“…President Kufour made you an ambassador and you were so happy. You (Alan), your girlfriends, your wife and your children enjoyed it so much. You sent them to good schools. President Kufuor also made you trade minister and because of this, you became so rich that you were nick-named Alan Cash.
“…You have enjoyed in the past because of the NPP. As for me, I think this resignation is a curse to him because the NPP has helped him. Look at how the party has helped you. If everyone in the NPP got what you have gotten from the party, none of them would complain of being mistreated,” he said in the Twi dialect.
But his comments have not sat well with Mr Kyerematen, who has cautioned Chairman Wontumi to be careful of the words he utters.
According to Mr Kyerematen, Chairman Wontumi lacks the ability to criticise him for his decision as he has on several occasions assisted him. He further described Chairman Wontumi as an “ingrate” for siding with other presidential aspirants during the party’s Super Delegates Conference.
“Who is Chairman Wontumi? I brought him into the party in 2005 with good intentions. He was a small-time businessman at that time. I have tolerated a lot of disrespect.
“He [Wontumi] should be careful with the things he’s doing. You don’t have to be an ingrate if someone helps you. I led the delegation to ensure Wontumi became Regional Chairman, ask him. Now that he is gotten that top position, he thinks he is above everyone else. When I heard him campaigning against me, it was surprising,” he said.
According to Mr Kyerematen, he felt betrayed when Chairman Wontumi openly campaigned against him.
“I’ve done nothing to you. If you support someone else, it’s nothing but to do an open campaign against me, what is your problem? If you’re a Regional Chairman should you do that? You are supposed to be fair but you have become a cheerleader,” he said sadly.
A memorandum from the leadership of Ashanti Region’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) has ordered all regional chairpersons in the 47 constituencies to quickly remove all posters, banners, and other campaign materials associated with the former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen, from their party offices.
In the memo dated September 25, 2023, with the subject “Removal of all Alan Kverematen-branded items from our party offices” and signed by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Mr. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, chairpersons region-wide to remove all posters, banners, and other campaign materials associated with the former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kyerematen, from their party offices due to his resignation.
Reacting to this, Mr. Kyerematen said he was not bothered.
“It’s no problem. The order came from Wontumi. Who brought Wontumi to the party? I brought him into the party. He has to be thanking Alan Kyerematen”.