General News of Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Source: starrfmonline.com

'I can build a new united NPP' - Alan K

A flagbearer-aspirant of the main opposition New Patriotic Party, Alan Kyeremanten, says he can create a new and more united party when given the opportunity to lead the biggest opposition party into the 2016 elections.

“I can unite the NPP in a great effort to build a new NPP," the former Trade Minister said on Mercury’s Super Power Radio in Kumasi.

“I have the record in the NPP as a unifier. My aim is to unite the party for victory 2016," he said.

Explaining how he has played several unifying roles in the party over the years, the former Ambassador to the United States said: “I was central in sustaining the NPP."

“In 1992 as the chairman of the Young Executive Forum we supported the party financially. In 1996, the Forum sponsored me to contest as a presidential aspirant against former Prez Kufour, JH Mensah, Kwame Mpianim and the likes. I was approached by some leading party members who asked me to step down because they thought I was young and had more years ahead of me. I listened and made that supreme sacrifice for the sake of party peace and unity.

“During the 2007 NPP presidential primaries out of the 17 candidates, Nana Addo and I pulled enough votes to go for a second round. For peace and unity to prevail and to ease the tension that the close contest had caused within the party, I unconditionally stepped aside for Nana Addo to go unopposed," he recalled.

Kyeremanten is contesting six other aspirants for the slot, including two-time presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo.