Alan`s supporters desert him

INTELLIGENCE reports reaching The Chronicle from the camp of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), point to a bleak future for Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen’s presidential ambition, as his loyal footsoldiers, who vigorously campaigned for him during his presidential bid for the 2008 elections, have started deserting him.

Credible sources within the party have hinted this paper that the former flagbearer aspirant, after losing the contest to Nana Akufo-Addo at the last congress, failed to reward the party footsoldiers who helped him during his campaign.

According to inside sources, Alan’s crime was that he has lost touch with his supporters, after narrowly losing the election.

The Western Regional Youth Coordinator of ‘Team Alan’, Mr. Prince Armah, confirmed the story when this reporter contacted him.

‘Team Alan’ was a core group of NPP supporters in the region, who went all out to campaign for Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen’s presidential bid, starting with the NPP flagbearership race.

Mr. Armah, however, said the decision to desert the former presidential aspirant, was based on the individual convictions of the members, and not a collective decision of all the ‘Team Alan’ members.

“I supported his bid, but I don’t support him anymore. I spoke to many people that I worked with, and they also said they have made similar decisions like mine,” Mr. Armah said.

He added, “What I want for my party is power, and whoever is capable of getting our party the power, is welcome, but certainly not Mr. Kyerematen.”

The membership of ‘Team Alan’ included local big shots like Mr. Prince Armah, a former student of the University College of Education-Winneba, Mr. Michael Ampong, former President of the Students Representative Council (SRC) of the University of Cape Coast, Mr. John Kumah, a student of the Ghana Law School, Mr. Samuel Oduro (Odenkeh), Central Regional Coordinator of ‘Team Alan’ campaign and Emmanuel Yirenkyi, former SRC President, University College of Education-Winneba.

These people were all strong members of the team that supported the former Trade and Industry Minister.

When Mr. Michael Ampong was contacted about the veracity of the story, he would neither deny nor confirm that he had deserted his boss. “I am only interested in the party’s national position that I want to contest for, and nothing else,” was all he would say to this reporter.

Explaining his current position, and why the national executives in the party ought to be independent, the NPP youth activist, who rose from TESCON Organiser to President at the UCC, and eventually became SRC President and Trustee member of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) of the same institution, before assumption of duty as the spokesperson of Mr. Kyerematen, Mr. Michael Ampong said, “I am coming into this position on my own merit.”

Mr. John Kuma, who is currently at the Ghana Law School, would also not also deny nor confirm the report, and said, “I am not ready to comment on the subject.” Attempts to reach Emmanuel Yirenkyi for his comment on the subject failed.

Mr. Samuel Oduro, however, told this reporter that he was still a strong supporter of Alan, and that he had not abandoned him.

To him, Mr. Kyerematen was now the best presidential material for the NPP, and Ghana.