The political landscape in Ghana is buzzing following the recent declaration by Allan Kwadwo Kyeremanteng, leader of the Movement For Change regarding the formation of the ‘United Party (UP).
This move has been met with a spectrum of reactions.
Many Ghanaians commend it as a laudable initiative and see the move as a fresh direction aimed at challenging and unseating the NDC in the 2028 elections.
However a vocal minority holds a different view, positing that Kyeremanteng allegedly fueled by anger for the bad treatment he encountered before his exit from the Npp has formed the UP primarily to disrupt and dismantle the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) strongholds.
And thereby ensure that the party’s defeat in the upcoming polls become reality
Perhaps it is this very apprehension that has seemingly gripped the NPP.
In a move widely interpreted as stemming from alleged fear and panic the NPP General Secretary Mr. Justine Frimpong Koduah has indicated the party’s intention to drag Allan Kyeremanteng to court.
The basis for this threatened legal action according to Koduah is that the United Party’ is a direct offshoot emerged from the founders of the Npp
Therefore Allan Kyeremanteng allegedly have no authority to masquerade UP to form and claim ownership of the United Party.
Yet a widespread survey conducted by this correspondent in Kumasi to gather public opinion paints a different picture, overwhelmingly advising the NPP to reconsider and halt their intentions.
The consensus suggests their legal claims simply does not carry weight.
The sentiment is clear: such a lawsuit would not only be ill advised but could potentially backfire and bring considerable disgrace to the opposition Npp
The Legal Quagmire: A Defunct Legacy
Mr. Jones Krampah a respected retired legal practitioner firmly indicated that Allan Kyeremanteng has every right to use United Party” to form a political entity.
Krampah stressed that the old UP which links to the formation of the Npp is collapsed and no more in existence.
He further elaborated that from 1992 since the country entered into democracy nobody has heard that someone has registered and operating UP in Ghana.
According to Mr. Krampah the former UP which he emphatically stated is dead forever was a distinct entity and NPP cannot claim another political party as it’s subsidiary.
Where at the global level cannot happen.
This legal perspective is echoed by a political analyst Peter Oduro who highlighted the practical implications.
Oduro pointed out that if the NPP indeed had an alliance with the former United Party their alliance is no more.
Mr Oduro stated that since the Registrar General Department has no recognition of UP since 1992 it means that the old United Party does not exists as anyone can register a party by using UP.
Kofi Marfo and Charles Dante self confessed NPP supporters in Obuasi expressed unhappiness about the manner the Npp has been distributing Allan Kyeremanteng on his political ambitions.
Their candid advice to the NPP executives was unequivocal as they stated leave Allan Kyeremanteng alone and instead find ways to create peace in the Npp which is on the verge of collapse.
Struggling with Allan Kyeremanteng on UP issues cannot win power they admonished.
Echoing this sentiment with even greater force was Priscilla Oforiwa, an NPP activist at Ejisu.
She emphatically stated that the party will loose legal battle if any action is taken against Allan Kyeremanteng.
Oforiwa added a critical point of internal perception: most of them don’t know any collaboration with the Npp and United Party and that the more they worry Allan the Npp would exposed themselves on why the party is not called United Party but Npp.
Her concluding words served as a warning to the General Secretary: “Koduah’s attempt would worsen the current challenges facing the Npp so he should go on if he wanted to collapse the party.
