Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, has expressed disappointment over ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor’s public endorsement of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer for the 2024 elections.
Kufuor’s endorsement, delivered during a nationwide address on Sunday, November 17, highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s leadership as essential for Ghana’s progress, urging Ghanaians to vote massively for him to secure a stable future.
In a social media post on Monday, November 18, Prof. Gyampo suggested that Kufuor’s comments betrayed Alan Kyerematen, whom he described as one of the party’s staunchest loyalists.
“You have been a great statesman, and some of us expect you to remain above partisan politics at this stage in your life,” Prof. Gyampo remarked. “Your recent comments unnecessarily betray your own beloved Alan Kyerematen, who suffered many challenges in your party because of you.”
Citing historical instances, Prof. Gyampo reminded Kufuor of Alan’s loyalty to him, particularly in 1996 when Kyerematen stepped down as a preferred presidential candidate of the Young Executives Forum to support Kufuor’s candidacy.
He also referenced the former President’s role in convincing Alan to concede defeat in the tightly contested 2007 NPP presidential primaries to avoid a runoff.
Prof. Gyampo noted that Kufuor’s endorsement might stem from Alan’s unwillingness to seek his support directly.
“I know this makes you feel a bit slighted, but you are a statesman,” he stated.
Prof. Gyampo argued that as a statesman, Kufuor should focus on fostering reconciliation and national unity rather than taking sides in party politics.
He cautioned, “Note that, sɛ asor boa didi wo fɔm a, fɔm afidie yi no,” loosely translated as, “If a bird decides to eat on the ground, it becomes a prey to traps set on the ground.”
Kyerematen resigned from the NPP in September 2023 to form the Movement for Change. He is now an independent presidential candidate in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
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