Ghana’s ex-trade minister had on Monday, said that he would resign from the ruling party and run as an independent candidate for the next presidential election that will be held in December 2024, splitting a government struggling with reducing support as it battles with the worst economic crisis in a generation.
Alan Kyeremanten, the trade minister for the New Patriotic Party, NPP, had made the announcement during a briefing, saying that his contributions were not being appreciated. Already, he had resigned from his ministerial role in January.
The new movement will be led and powered by the youth,” Kyeremanten was heard to have told his supporters at the event.
Meanwhile, Kyeremanten’s resignation has been described by the NPP as unfortunate.
Hundreds of protesters had gathered in Accra last week for about three days of anti-government protests due to economic hardship.
Ghana’s worst economic crisis in a generation had been brought on by a shooting up public debt.
Last year, protests over soaring prices and other economic challenges led to clashes with police and pushed authorities to ask the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help.
The government has since put its focus on restructuring debt and reducing its spending to gain access to a $3 billion, three-year IMF loan programme.
The NPP is yet to announce the candidate that will succeed President Nana Afuko-Addo, who will be retiring after serving two terms.
It is however, widely believed that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia will be selected.
Ghana has been ruled by two political parties since it transitioned from military to democratic rule in 1992. The politicsl parties were: the NPP and the main opposition party, National Democratic Congress party.
Kyeremanten, aged 67, had served as Akufo-Addo’s trade and industry minister during both of his terms.
