The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr. Tia Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, has strongly criticised Alan Kyerematen and his associates over the naming of their new political organisation, the Unity Party (UP Plus).
Speaking in an interview with GHOne TV, Dr. Mahama described the name as a “clear appropriation” of the historical United Party (UP) — the political tradition from which the NPP traces its roots. He said the move demonstrated poor judgment and a lack of respect for Ghana’s political history.
“I thought Alan Kyerematen and his people would have been more thoughtful in choosing a name… We shall test it in court,”
Dr. Mahama stated.
According to him, the “UP” brand is deeply intertwined with the NPP’s heritage and identity, making its use by another political group both misleading and unacceptable. He hinted that the NPP was considering legal action to challenge the adoption of the name, arguing that it amounted to an infringement on the party’s ideological legacy.
Dr. Mahama emphasised that while the NPP welcomed political competition in a democracy, it would not tolerate any attempt to “rewrite or hijack” its historical heritage.
Alan Kyerematen, a former leading member of the NPP, resigned from the party in 2023 to form the Movement for Change, under which he contested the 2024 general elections. His recent announcement of the UP Plus party has sparked widespread debate, with many political observers suggesting the name was chosen to evoke nostalgia and attract supporters sympathetic to the NPP’s historical lineage.
Dr. Mahama reaffirmed the NPP’s commitment to defending its identity and protecting the legacy of the original United Party, founded in 1957 under the leadership of Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia, which later evolved into the NPP.
“The United Party is not just a name — it is our heritage, our story, and our political soul. We will defend it,” he added.
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