A statement signed by Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Director of Communications for Bawumia’s campaign team on February 21, 2024, finally gave substance to rumors that Ghana’s all-time leading scorer leaned more toward the New Patriotic Party than the National Democratic Congress.

The rumors had existed for more than a decade, with Asamoah Gyan often linked with the Weija Gbawe and Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfro seats as a possible candidate for the New Patriotic Party.

Asamoah Gyan had mostly remained tight-lipped and allowed the rumors to die naturally, but the announcement on February 21 confirmed the speculations and even forced a reaction from some leading members of the National Democratic Congress, including Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament for South Dayi.

Ghanaians, however, woke up on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, to news that Gyan had announced his departure from the NPP, affirming his status as an ex-footballer and philanthropist.

GhanaWeb looks at some public events relative to this topic since the announcement was made.

Gyan defends appointment

Shortly after his appointment, Asamoah Gyan went on a media campaign, defending his appointment and explaining that the ultimate beneficiary of his decision is the Ghanaian youth.

“If all Ghana leaders met and said let’s go and talk to this guy. It is an honour. It is something I can’t forget. It made my soul happy. I consider it a good honour,” he said on Asempa FM.

Asamoah Gyan spotted at NPP health walk

While some meetings and engagements might have gone on behind the scenes, publicly, Asamoah Gyan became inactive in direct political matters, with his focus being on the All Regional Games.

On August 4, 2024, Asamoah Gyan was spotted alongside Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), at the Ofie Mega Walk.

Gyan addressed the NPP supporters at the rally, stating, “I’ll keep my message very short. I stand for the youth. I was speaking to the Vice President this morning and I asked him what he has for the youth,” Gyan said.

“It was a one-on-one meeting, but I have to come out and say it. He told me his focus is mainly on the youth. So I told him to help the youth for me so that everything would fall into place.

“He has honoured me personally by allowing me to chair his manifesto committee on youth and sports. If he has done that for me, I’m very sure he’ll honour his promises to the youth. So I leave 7th December in your hands.”

Gyan resigns from NPP

Asamoah Gyan, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, announced that he is ditching political plans to focus on his private life and initiatives as a philanthropist and ex-footballer.

“I haven’t been fair to the youth and the people of Ghana. Henceforth, I am not affiliated with any political party. I will continue with my humanitarian work and help the youth of Ghana in my own small way. Nothing political. I wish all the political parties a peaceful election on the 7th of December. God bless our homeland Ghana. Thank you,” the caption of the statement reads.

EK