Ghanaian politician – Alan Kyerematen – Photo credit: Facebook
Reports: King Amoah; Our Publisher/Editor -in-chief
Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen via Facebook.
Ghana’s former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, has left no doubt about his political future, he intends to run for president again in 2028. In an exclusive interview with King Amoah, Editor of Connectghananews.com, the veteran politician reflected on his dramatic departure from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), his international track record, and his conviction that Ghana now needs a leader capable of guiding both the nation and the African continent into a new era.
Kyerematen, often credited as the chief architect behind the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), said his resignation from the NPP in 2024 was not an impulsive move, but the result of years of watching the party he helped build drift away from its core philosophy.
“I made that decision because I became part of the NPP as a founding member in the early 1990s only because I was attracted to certain foundational values of the party…Alt a point when I felt that these values were being eroded, and this was not just 2024, I started complaining about these challenges…The vehicle that was carrying the ideals had completely departed from the original ideals and it was time for me to move on. And so that’s why I stepped out and then established the Movement for Change,” he. explained .
For years, Kyerematen was widely seen as a natural successor within the NPP’s leadership ladder. He recalled how former President John Agyekum Kufuor himself once framed the party’s leadership evolution in generational terms.
“President Kufuor had made a very interesting statement…that in NPP our leadership is anchored on generational leadership.
He specifically talked about this generation being former president, he mentioned a few other names. He said after that generation the next generation will be Alan Kyerematen and the rest,” he recounted.
But when the moment came, the party turned elsewhere. Despite his extensive record, Kyerematen said internal politics blocked him from becoming flagbearer, forcing him to launch an independent bid in 2024.
Pointing to his long career in both domestic and global leadership, Kyerematen argued that his credentials extend far beyond party politics.
“In 1994 I was listed as one of the 100 global leaders in the world by Time magazine. And I was listed amongst other individuals, Bill Gates was one of them, Jeffrey Sachs was one of them, John F. Kennedy Jr. was one of them, Condoleezza Rice was one of them… So it’s not just about my record in NPP,” he disclosed.
He also noted that in 2013, African heads of state unanimously endorsed him as the continent’s candidate for Director-General of the World Trade Organization, one of the top four leadership roles in global governance.
Although his 2024 presidential run fell short, Kyerematen made clear he is not stepping away from the political stage.
“I’m working on making sure that I consolidate my political path which I have been involved in. I’m not sure that I can put out now what that path would be. But I think that I still would like to help with the governance of this country in a more significant way than before,” he said when asked about what he’s working on now.
Pressed on whether he intends to contest the presidency again, his response was direct: “Yes, definitely. In fact, that I can put out, that I’ll run again. Which vehicle I use, that is, you know, but of course the Almighty God has the final say…But be that as it may, that’s my interest and my desire. Yes. Because I think that the country will greatly benefit from my experience, my exposure and my network around the world, and my vision particularly for Africa.”
While he avoided committing to a specific platform or political vehicle for 2028, Kyerematen framed his future candidacy as one anchored in national renewal and continental leadership. He insisted that Ghana is at a point where it requires leaders who not only understand the domestic landscape but can also elevate the country’s role across Africa and globally.
“In spite of whatever you say about any of them, [past presidents] have served. Now if you scope the country right now and look at other people who… will be able to not just build on the track, he said
