Alan Kyeremanten to resign as Trade Minister?

Credible information reaching The aL-hAJJ indicate that all is not well with the four-month-old Akufo-Addo government as Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, is said to be considering tendering in his resignation letter.

Sources close to the twice failed NPP flag bearer aspirant told this paper that, Mr Kyeremanten has virtually been reduced to a “lame duck” Minister in President Akufo-Addo’s government as he is without “clout and respect”.

“Alan has just been appointed to that Ministry as Trade Minister. He is just there. He has no authority and control over appointments of heads of agencies and institutions under his Ministry. None of the people he penciled to head agencies under his ministry were considered by the Presidency…he is just there-virtually, powerless,” a source told The aL-hAJJ on strict condition of anonymity.

“Though Mr Kyeremanten has been touted by President Akufo-Addo as the man with the magic wand to lead his industrialization policy, the Minister has been “dumped” at the Ministry without control over finances and policy direction of agencies under him”, the source stated.

Adding that, “Mr Kyeremanten is so frustrated that he is contemplating resigning due to the humiliation he is going through… everything at that Ministry has been taken over by the President’s aficionados. Even one of his deputies is more powerful than Alan.”

The Trade and Industry Ministry has two deputies; Member of Parliament for Tema West, Mr Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah, and Mr Robert Ahomka Lindsey, but the source failed to name which of the two deputies is usurping the powers of Mr Kyeremanten.

Mr Alan Kyeremanten was one of the tormentors of Mr Akufo-Addo for the flag bearer post of the NPP since 2007. Mr Kyeremanten and his supporters have been victims of several vicious and physical attacks from supporters of Nana Akufo-Addo, leading to his brief resignation from the party after the party’s congress in 2007. But he subsequently joined the party’s campaign at the behest of former President Kufuor.

Ahead of 2016 polls and, even immediately after taking office, Mr Kyeremanten was always seen with President Akufo-Addo who continually touted his credentials as the man with the Midas touch. He was the first person President Akufo-Addo named among his 110 Ministers.

While President Akufo-Addo said the Trade and Industry Minister will lead his one-district, one-factory policy to create employment for the teeming youth, two months after Mr Kyeremanten was sworn into office, he has been consigned to the backstage of government.

A source told this paper that Alan Kyeremanten’s supporters across the country including Dr Richard Anane, Hilda Addo, O B Amoah; Frederick Opare Ansah, Kofi Dzamesi, Hon. Boniface Abubakar among others have either being sidelined or given low profile positions in the Akufo-Addo government.

“Supporters of Alan who applied to be considered for MMDCEs have been rejected. Those who submitted their CVs to be appointed to positions have also been ignored. So you see, Alan has no say in this government,” the source revealed.