Kufuor Says Alan Kyerematen Turned Down 2000 Minister Offer

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor said Alan Kyerematen turned down a ministerial invitation after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) formed government in 2000, refuting long‑standing rumours that he was being groomed for the 2008 presidential race.

Kufuor made the disclosure while denying claims that he backed Kyerematen against Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo‑Addo during the NPP’s 2008 primaries. He said the allegations have persisted for years despite lacking any factual basis.

\”Even when we won power in the 2000 general elections, I contacted him and offered a ministerial post, but he declined,\” Kufuor told reporters. He added that the offer was made in recognition of Kyerematen’s competence and commitment to the party, not to position him for future leadership battles.

According to Kufuor, the refusal proved that Kyerematen was not being favoured for any internal advantage. \”No, no. I never supported him against anybody. I didn’t give him any support to aid him go and defeat anybody. It will never happen,\” he asserted.

The former president’s comments come amid a resurgence of rumours linking him to Kyerematen’s 2008 flagbearer bid. Critics have long alleged that Kufuor preferred Kyerematen as his successor, an accusation he has repeatedly dismissed, insisting he remained neutral and allowed the party’s democratic process to unfold without interference.

Kufuor’s clarification also ties into his recent analysis of the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections. He blamed policy missteps by the Akufo‑Addo administration – notably the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, the PDS debacle and the National Cathedral project – for alienating voters.

He warned political leaders to take public sentiment seriously and avoid taking Ghanaians for granted, urging them to listen to the electorate before implementing costly initiatives.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE