“To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by records of history”. Marcus T. Cicero, 106 BC – 43BC
Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen (aka Alan Cash) is a consummate patriot who has been a staunch leading party member since 1992. Indeed he is a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), a former member of National Executive Committee (NEC) and the first chairman of the Young Executive Forum (YEF).
Those old enough would appreciate the challenge of even identifying with an opposition political party at the time and daring to be in leadership position of it. Yet this did not deter Kyerematen from leading his YEF from making substantial financial contribution towards the party’s activities and the acquisition of the party’s first building at Adabraka, behind O’Reilly Secondary School.
He stayed the course and the party appointed him as a member of the negotiating team for NPP-NCP great Alliance in 1996. When divine providence smiled on the party in the 2000 general elections, Kyerematen served initially as Ghana’s ambassador to the United States of America. As head of Ghana’s Diplomatic Mission to the United States of America, he was considered the NPP government’s top foreign envoy and performed with distinction over the 18-month duty tour, and his significant achievements include: Establishment of the US-Ghana Economic Council, a high-level advocacy and advisory group established to deepen economic relations and bilateral trade between Ghana and the United States; Coordinating Government’s re-negotiation of the Westel agreement with Western Wireless (which later became known as Airtel) and Valco Agreement with Kaiser Aluminium Company coordinating the implementation of the first Investment Forum in the United States to showcase the economic potential of each of the 10 regions of Ghana; Establishment of the first web-based Ghana Skills Bank, a database designed to facilitate access to Ghanaian professionals and experts worldwide. Initiated plans for the establishment of a Ghana Cultural Centre in the United of States. Developed an “Operation Save Your Schools Programme” for Ghanaian resident in the United States to assist their alma mater primary/middle schools.
In 2003, when he returned home to assume the portfolio of Minister of Trade and PSI, he initiated the national Friday wear in Ghana, that has over the years bolstered the textiles and sewing business. His PSI on Textiles came to the rescue of the nation in 2020 when they produced the much needed PPEs and masks both for local use and for exports to the sub region. And the PSI on Cassava ushered the production of roots beer by Diageo.
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Alan pioneered the constituency business venture to support NPP and the district industrialization projects.
Although, Alan contested and conceded to then candidate Nana Akufo Addo, he toured the whole country with him in the 2008 campaign. He contributed to the 2012 NPP manifesto, visited Ashanti region, Brong Ahafo, and parts of Greater Accra with then candidate Nana Akufo Addo. Fact is he contributed materially and financially to the 2012 campaign. His contribution to the 2016 campaign is however not in doubt.
Today the nation celebrates the AfCFTA headquarters in Accra, yet we chastise Alan Kyerematen for accepting the UN/Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) role as Trade Advisor and AU’s special envoy to establish the frameworks of what would become AfCFTA. Yet the forebearers of our great party were consummate professionals holding various portfolios at home and abroad.
As the Minister of Trade and Industry under the government of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, he has once again shown his mettle in anchoring Ghana’s automobile industry with the establishment of a car assembling plants from global auto giants. The jobs and skill transfer to the teeming youth is immeasurable. The 1D1F is another testament to his theme of “putting people work to create wealth”.
Alan Kyerematen is an economist and a lawyer by training. He started his professional career with UAC Ghana Ltd a subsidiary of Unilever after his national service in the Ghana Armed Forces. He also worked for a number of years as a principal consultant and head of Public Systems Management with one of the leading management development institutions in Ghana, the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI).
In 1998, Kyerematen was appointed by the UNDP as the first regional director of Enterprise Africa, which was an Africa-wide, flagship initiative for the development and promotion of small and medium enterprises. Under that framework, he established enterprise support institutions and programmes in 13 Sub-Saharan Africa countries – Botswana, Benin, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda. This was after its successful implementation in Ghana. Over 4,000 African entrepreneurs and small businesses have benefited from these programmes.
Given the sheer numbers that thronged the El Wak stadium last week for possible enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces, it is testament to the urgent need for creation of jobs for the teeming youth of the nation. And who better placed than Alan Kyerematen, to create jobs for the growing numbers of the youth of the nation as that has been his lifelong endeavour.
The NPP needs a candidate like Alan Cash who will not sideline the party structures ahead of the 2024 general elections as it’s flagbearer. A party leader who recognizes that grassroot members win the elections for the party and is ready to galvanize them as well as provide the needed resources and morale for them to work assiduously for the party’s victory.
History beckons as NPP seeks to break the cycle of 8 year rule for both NPP and NDC in the 4th republic. The party needs a candidate that bring victory and break the 8. A great patriot, who has institutional memory, and can attract floating voters when chosen as the party’s flagbearer.
The party delegates must endeavour to choose a candidate Ghanaians are willing to vote for to become the next President and not remain a flagbearer.
Alan Cash is a Ghanaian with both Ashanti and Fante heritage he proudly embraces. A Santaclusian and an Akora at his core. A consummate politician who understands the antecedents of the NPP started with a merger of:
National Liberation Movement, Northern People’s Party Anlo Youth Organisation, Muslim Association Party, Togoland Congress and
Ga Shifimokpee.
Considering his life’s work and experience has been principally about job creation and supporting enterprises. Alan Cash at the helm will be the safest pair of hands to create employment opportunities for our teaming youth and access to markets for their output.
Alan Cash remains a staunch patriot and will do his utmost for the NPP and nation.
Source: Zoto Pee