Ghana’s former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, has left no doubt about his political future—he intends to run for president again in 2028.

In an exclusive interview with Sandra Babu-Boateng on PanaGenius TV’s The BreakDown, the veteran politician reflected on his dramatic departure from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), his international track record, and his conviction that Ghana now needs a leader capable of guiding both the nation and the African continent into a new era.

Kyerematen, widely credited as the chief architect behind the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), said his resignation from the NPP in 2024 was not an impulsive decision, but the culmination of years of watching the party he helped build drift away from its core philosophy.

“I made that decision because I became part of the NPP as a founding member in the early 1990s only because I was attracted to certain foundational values of the party… At a point when I felt that these values were being eroded—and this was not just in 2024, I had long been complaining about these challenges—I realized the vehicle that was carrying the ideals had completely departed from the original vision. It was time for me to move on. And so that’s why I stepped out and established the Movement for Change,” he explained.

For years, Kyerematen was seen as a natural successor within the NPP’s leadership ranks. He recalled how former President John Agyekum Kufuor once described the party’s evolution in terms of “generational leadership.”

“President Kufuor made a very interesting statement… that in the NPP our leadership is anchored on generational succession. He specifically mentioned former presidents and other names, and then said the next generation would be Alan Kyerematen and others,” he recounted.

But when the time came, the party turned elsewhere. Despite his extensive record, Kyerematen said internal politics prevented him from becoming flagbearer, pushing him to launch an independent bid in 2024.

Pointing to his long career in both domestic and international leadership, Kyerematen stressed that his credentials extend far beyond party politics.

“In 1994, I was listed as one of the 100 global leaders by Time magazine. I was mentioned alongside Bill Gates, Jeffrey Sachs, John F. Kennedy Jr., Condoleezza Rice, and others… So it’s not just about my record in the NPP,” he disclosed.

He also recalled that in 2013, African heads of state unanimously endorsed him as the continent’s candidate for Director-General of the World Trade Organization, one of the four most influential roles in global governance.

Although his 2024 presidential bid fell short, Kyerematen made it clear he is not exiting the political stage.

“I’m working on consolidating my political path, which I’ve been involved in for years. I’m not sure I can reveal now exactly what that path will look like, but I still want to contribute to the governance of this country in a more significant way than before,” he said.

When pressed on whether he intends to contest the presidency again, his response was direct:

“Yes. In fact, I can confirm that I’ll run again. Which political vehicle I’ll use, that’s yet to be determined—but of course, the Almighty God has the final say. That is my interest and my desire. I believe the country will greatly benefit from my experience, my exposure, my global networks, and my vision, particularly for Africa.”

While avoiding firm commitments about the platform or political structure he will use in 2028, Kyerematen framed his future candidacy as one centered on national renewal and continental leadership.

“Despite whatever you say about any of them, our past presidents have served. But if you scan the country today and ask who can not only build on their record but also take Ghana to the next level—leading not just this country but the continent into a future of prosperity, stability, peace, and security—then I believe I naturally come onto the radar,” he concluded.