- Former President Kufuor reveals Alan Kyerematen declined a ministerial position in his first administration
- Denies long-standing claims that he supported Alan over Akufo-Addo in 2008 primaries
- Says his offer to Alan was based on competence, not succession planning
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has disclosed that Alan Kyerematen turned down an invitation to join his first government after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) won the 2000 elections. He made this revelation while debunking long-standing claims that he backed Alan over Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the NPP’s 2008 presidential primaries.
According to him, these allegations have persisted for years without any factual basis.
“Even when we won the 2000 general elections and I reached out to him to serve as a Minister, he refused,” Mr. Kufuor stated.
He clarified that his decision to offer Alan a ministerial position stemmed from his appreciation of Alan’s competence and loyalty to the party—not an attempt to groom him for future leadership contests.
Mr. Kufuor emphasized that Alan’s refusal clearly showed he was not being given any special advantage within the party. “No, no. I never supported him against anybody,” he stressed. “I didn’t give him any support to help him defeat anyone. That would never happen.”
His comments come amid renewed speculation linking him to Alan’s 2008 flagbearer bid—claims the former President has consistently rejected. He insisted that he stayed neutral and allowed the party’s democratic processes to unfold without interference.
Mr. Kufuor’s clarification also aligns with his recent reflections on the NPP’s electoral performance, particularly the party’s loss in the 2024 general elections.
He argued that policy failures under the Akufo-Addo government—such as the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, the PDS controversy, and the National Cathedral project—played major roles in public dissatisfaction.
The former President cautioned political leaders to take the concerns of citizens seriously and avoid taking Ghanaians for granted.
