
50-year-old mason gruesomely murdered; veins, left heel, and other body parts missing
3 mins read
19th October 2025 9:37:46 AM
5 mins readBy: Abigail Ampofo
Policy think tank IMANI Africa has advised the founder and leader of the newly rebranded movement the United Party’s Alan Kyeremanten to return to his first love as an advocate of wealth creation and entrepreneurship.
With track record of serving as first Regional Director of Enterprise Africa, a flagship UNDP initiative promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Africa as well as serving in the capacity as a Trade Minister for over four years, a message built in that regard will be well received by the public.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, October 18, two days after launch of UP Plus at a ceremony held in Accra, Ghana, President of IMANI, Franklin Cudjoe said Kyerematen’s long-standing association with entrepreneurship and private sector advocacy stands a chance of being well received if communicated with clarity and purpose.
“If Alan stays the course of understanding that his first love was enterprise, and he could turn that into something sellable… If Alan could reorient his message around building businesses and say, ‘I am here for you, the ordinary person. I am here to give you the opportunity and teach the skills to help you save a little more,’ then that could work,” Cudjoe said.
He urged Kyerematen to desist from the pure political rhetorics if he wants to connect more with voters
“If he takes that and says, ‘I want to be the enterprise guy, and I want you to build your own prosperity,’ then that’s a compelling message,” Cudjoe noted. “If Alan is able to move that message away from just saying ‘become members,’ then he can have a clear path.”
Cudjoe’s comments follow the official unveiling of UP Plus, the rebranded version of Kyerematen’s Movement for Change. The launch marks a new chapter for the former Trade and Industry Minister, who has positioned the UP Plus as a centrist, reform-oriented political alternative ahead of the 2028 general elections.
At the launch, Chairman Abubakar Saddique Boniface described UP Plus as a platform for credible leadership and transformational governance, built on competence, inclusivity, and universal values.
Alan Kyerematen, in his address, called the new political identity a “new dawn” for Ghana, promising to usher in a golden age of business-led economic transformation.
The Movement for Change, led by Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, has officially transitioned into the United Party (UP Plus) after receiving approval from the Electoral Commission (EC). Party Chairman Abubakar Saddique Boniface stated that the unveiling represents the emergence of a new breed of political movement.
“Today, we present to you the United Party or UP Plus. The UP Plus is a political organisation meant to bring real change to governance. We will make a difference because of our focus on universal values and respect for the leadership of competence. We are not just taking people to lead us, but people who are credible, competent, and have a vision,” he stated.
Speaking at the unveiling event, Party leader Alan Kyerematen noted that the rebrand seeks to promote greater accountability, intensify the fight against corruption, and create prosperity for Ghanaians.
“A new dawn that will bring about economic transformation, which will translate into massive job opportunities, usher in a golden age of business, and create prosperity for our country, Ghana.
“A new dawn that will mobilise the collective strengths and talents of all Ghanaians for national development, irrespective of age, ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
“A new dawn that will promote accountable and transparent governance and introduce a policy of zero tolerance for corruption. A new dawn that will at least protect the environment and promote sustainable development. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this is what underpins the establishment of the United Party,” he said.
Mr. Kyerematen, who was once a staunch member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), parted ways with the party on Monday, September 25, 2023, citing reasons such as electoral irregularities, unfair treatment, and bias during the superdelegates' conference held on August 26, 2023.
The Movement for Change, now UP Plus, which Mr. Kyerematen described as youth-led, aims to address the country's challenges. The party formed alliances with other political movements and has declared its intention to contest the 2024 elections.
Mr. Kyerematen first resigned from the NPP in 2008 following attacks on his supporters after the NPP held its 2007 presidential primaries. He had been an active member of the NPP since its establishment in 1992. On Wednesday, September 12, 2024, Alan Kyerematen officially submitted his nomination to contest Ghana's 2024 presidential elections as an independent candidate.
In 2024, Mr. Kyerematen chose a youthful running mate, Kwame Owusu Danso (KOD), who doubles as a lawyer, broadcast journalist, and youth activist. After filing his nomination, Mr. Kyerematen reiterated his commitment to being a "transitional leader" dedicated to securing the future for Ghana’s younger generation.
"I am fighting for the youth to have the opportunity to lead this country," Kyerematen stated. He also pledged that 50% of his appointees would be drawn from the youth, a move aimed at promoting fresh perspectives and dynamic leadership in government.
Central to his campaign is his Great Transformational Plan (GTP), which addresses the immediate needs of Ghanaians, particularly the youth. The GTP focuses on economic transformation, job creation, and national development, offering a roadmap for addressing unemployment and underemployment, key concerns for millions of young voters.
His development agenda goes beyond mere job creation, incorporating industrial transformation and tourism infrastructure development with private sector partnerships. This vision, he argues, will create long-term economic stability and reduce Ghana’s dependence on external financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank, a reliance for which both the NPP and NDC have faced criticism in recent years.
The Afrafranto Alliance, a coalition of civil society groups and grassroots movements, has rallied behind Kyerematen’s candidacy, reflecting growing frustration with the promises of the major political parties. Many of these groups are led by young activists who see in Kyerematen a leader capable of transcending party lines and focusing on the nation’s future.
Mr. Kyerematen proposed governance reforms aimed at improving transparency and reducing political cronyism. These include replacing the Council of State with a Second Chamber and establishing an Anti-Corruption Czar with prosecutorial powers. His pledge to limit his administration to just 40 ministers also sets him apart from the more bloated administrations of the past.
Unfortunately, Mr. Kojo Alan Kyerematen obtained 31,202 votes, representing 0.28%, in the 2024 general elections. The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, was crowned the winner. This made him the first leader in the Fourth Republic to return to office after serving a term.
3 mins read
5 mins read
5 mins read
5 mins read
5 mins read
4 mins read
4 mins read
3 mins read
9 mins read