Former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen, has praised President Akufo-Addo for his fervent commitment to industrialization and value addition.
Mr Kyerematen commended the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for its strides in industrialization but expressed his desire for a more comprehensive economic transformation plan.
Speaking to the media, Mr Kyerematen questioned the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for seeking a return to power without presenting any substantive policies for the country’s development.
He emphasized that he had not heard a single policy proposal from the NDC, raising doubts about their agenda if they were to regain power.
“The president is passionate about industrialization and value addition but I wanted an extensive blueprint of transformation,” he said.
While Kyerematen has resigned from the NPP to run as an independent presidential candidate, he acknowledged the NPP’s achievements while acknowledging the serious economic challenges the country faces.
He explained that he had intended to use the NPP as a platform to implement his vision for the country as president but decided to leave the party due to internal issues.
He stated, “I have been very strategic about how I have positioned myself over the years,” and added that, “I would have wished to use the party, but for various reasons, I have decided that I will go directly to the people of Ghana.”
Mr Kyerematen, who finished third in the NPP’s super delegates conference in August, resigned from the party on September 25 to run as an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 elections.
He cited the perception that his contributions were no longer valued within the party and criticized the NPP’s leadership for allegedly favoring one aspirant during internal elections. This marked his second resignation from the NPP, having previously done so in 2007 before returning to the party.