Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has disclosed that Alan Kyerematen declined an invitation to serve in his first government after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) won power in the 2000 general elections.
Mr Kufuor made the revelation while dismissing long-standing claims that he supported Alan Kyerematen against Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the NPP’s 2008 presidential primaries.
According to him, the allegations have circulated for years without any factual basis.
“Even when we won power in the 2000 general elections, and I contacted him that I wanted to make him a Minister, he declined,” the former President stated.
Mr Kufuor explained that his decision to offer Alan a cabinet position at the time was based on his competence and contribution to the party, rather than any attempt to groom him for future leadership contests.
He stressed that Alan’s rejection of the ministerial role clearly showed that he was not being positioned for advantage within the party, contrary to widespread speculation.
“No, no. I never supported him against anybody,” Mr Kufuor said. “I didn’t give him any support to aid him go and defeat anybody. It will never happen.”
The former President’s remarks follow the resurfacing of claims linking him to Alan Kyerematen’s 2008 flagbearer bid, with critics suggesting he favoured Alan as his preferred successor — a claim Mr Kufuor has repeatedly denied.
He maintained that he remained neutral throughout the party’s internal elections, allowing the NPP’s democratic processes to proceed without interference.
Mr Kufuor also used the opportunity to reflect on the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections, attributing the loss partly to policy missteps under the Akufo-Addo administration.
He cited the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, the PDS power distribution controversy, and the National Cathedral project as key decisions that contributed to public dissatisfaction.
The former President urged political leaders to take public sentiment seriously, warning against complacency and taking Ghanaians for granted.
