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Opinions of Sunday, 5 October 2014

Columnist: Agyemang, Katakyie Kwame Opoku

I Haven't Switched to any Camp

My attention has been drawn to many newspaper publications that, I, Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang, the National Coordinator of Get Alan Kyerematen Elected (GAKE) have abandoned the pressure group midstream and have consequently thrown my support to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with regard to the upcoming NPP primaries. These newspaper publications, especially the one in the Daily Guide, have been followed by many radio interrogations and phone calls by friends with the view to establishing the veracity of the rumour.

I would like to take this opportunity to state categorically that, I have not moved to any camp. I assure the public in general and my group members in particular that, I am still canvassing for votes for Hon. Alan Kyerematen. I cannot leave Alan and join any other camp at this crucial time. I still believe that Alan is the right candidate to take the NPP into the Flagstaff House. It will be politically suicidal for me to dump Alan Kyerematen for any other candidate at a time that my services are utmost needed by the noble man. 

I therefore see those publications and rumours as an attempt to tarnish my hard-won reputation, and to make my loyalty to Alan as well as my integrity doubtful. For the information of my detractors, I, Katakyie, do not follow people for following sake as being seen in the fake endorsements currently going in the NPP's flag-bearership race. As a principled person, I do follow Candidates who extremely demonstrate their ability and capacity to win political power for my beloved party. The fact that I have decided to use a new political approach in winning votes for Alan does not mean I have joined another camp. 

In Election 2012, I was among the few die-hards who championed the cause of Nana Akufo-Addo. I felt that he was the right man for Ghana at the time, but unfortunately, majority of Ghanaians did not see him as such. They voted against him for the third consecutive time (including run-off). Even though, I can see Nana Addo's desire to turn the economy of Ghana around, it is regrettable that majority of Ghanaians are not ready to trust him, let alone vote for him in 2016 to lead Ghana. It is in the light of this that, I am lending my support to a Candidate who stands a better chance of attracting extra votes outside the NPP's core membership to win us power.

As an Electoral Area Coordinator, I am fully convinced by Alan's message of paying party executives who intend to work for the party on full-time basis. This is one of the surest ways of making the NPP attractive to non-NPP members and floaters. Alan is currently criss- crossing the whole country interacting with Polling Station Executives to know their problems at first hand. He has shown a great deal of respect to the very people who do the door to door campaign for the NPP. This gives credence to the fact that, Alan has the welfare of the grassroot people at heart. 

Why would I leave such a man and join another camp? In politics, loyalty is very important. No matter the outcome of the NPP primaries, I'll continue to pledge my support to Alan, for the signs are clear on the walls that, Alan Kyerematen is poised not only to lead the NPP in particular, but Ghana as a whole, come 2016. 

As many of you recall, I promised in May 2014 to lead a crusade to get at least, 80,000 NPP delegates to vote for Alan Kyerematen to lead the NPP for Election 2016. It is interesting to note that, despite the limited resources, GAKE's membership has risen from the initial 250 delegates to 50,125 delegates. This is no mean achievement so I do not see any political sense in switching camp at this time. 

I am therefore appealing to all those spreading the rumour to put an end to it. Let's embrace change for there is no way the NPP could win the 2016 elections by presenting the same candidate, same running-mate, same message, and same crowd. At least, a change in the flag-bearership (from Nana to Alan), change in campaign message (from Free SHS to Jobs for the People, Cash for People), and change in crowd (adding floating votes to NPP's existing votes) could dislodge President Mahama and his NDC from government in 2016. 

I hope the media would give priority attention to this press release in the same way as they did with the rumour. 

Thank you and God bless us all!

...Signed...

Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang

(National Coordinator, GAKE)

Email: katakyienpp@yahoo.co.uk

Mobile: 0547851100: 0202471070