The Rise And Fall Of Alan Cash

President Kufour was bowing out of office after eight good years of positive change. He had successfully succeeded J.J. Rawlings, the Junior Jesus and after two consecutive terms he had already clinched the enviable name as the "Gentle Giant". Who will succeed the first president produced by the NPP and the second president of the fourth Republic? 17 sons of the great Elephant presented themselves but the front runners were only two - a short man from Kyebi and a tall man from Ashanti. On the surface, Akufo Addo was a brutal man, a no nonsense man who hardly smiled but was deeply loved by the grassroots but on the other hand was John Alan kyerematen, a noble man who was not that famous among the grassroots although he was a founding member. Akufo Addo had eloquently served as a Foreign Affairs Minister and Attorney General and was a kingpin in politics. Alan was however a newbie to many but was honored by Kufour as Ghana's Ambassador to the United States and later as Minister of Trade and Industry, Private Sector Development (PSD), and Presidential Special Initiatives (PSI).

Alan was the people's man who drew so many crowds that shook the foundations of his rival candidates. He coined the nickname Alan Cash and "Alan for Ghana, jobs for the people" was the slogan that became popular in those days. He was affectionately called Alan cash because he displayed real cash and luxury in his campaigns that got everyone talking. At a point he even campaigned with a helicopter while his colleagues were on land. That was Alan, that man of those days!

The D-day finally came and the children of the Elephant gathered to select their leader. It was close enough for a runoff but Alan Cash conceded, paving way for Akufo Addo to become the party's flagbeaer for the first time. After the NPP's primaries it was evident Alan Kyerematen was a force to reckon with and he was tipped by many to lead the party someday but not before Akufo Addo. In that primaries he secured 32.30% as against Akufo Addo's 47.96%. Shortly after, the elephant family woke up to the shocking news on 17th April, 2008 that Alan Kyerematen had stepped aside from the party that gave him space to nurture his presidential ambition. His supporters were disappointed but his reason was that Akufo Addo's supporters were harassing his. Later he rejoined the party ahead of the crucial 2008 elections which was narrowly lost because the Elephant was divided. Alan's faction did not really campaign and it was clear that if they had, Akufo Addo could have easily won over Mills.

As the years went by, another flagbeareship primaries was ahead for the 2012 elections and the sons of the Elephant presented themselves again. Alan was part as usual. He campaigned vigorously and gained some notable crowds. The contest was soon over and Akufo Addo won again, but this time with a wider margin. In that contest Alan's 20.40% was against Akufo Addo's 77.92%. The NPP went into that elections fully determined to win but they couldn't. For many months the results were contested in the Supreme Court but they still lost. Although Alan was still tipped to replace Akufo Addo, 2012 defeat that ended up in the courts gave birth to Dr. Bawumia whose brilliance made him so famous throughout the Supreme Court's hearing. Had it not been the court, Bawumia would have quietly faded with time but he worked hard on his new fame, mobilised the grassroots and campaigned vigorously whiles Alan Cash slept and waited for his birthright.

2016 election was fast approaching and by this time Alan thought it was his time because he had been patient enough. 2016 must see him on the ballot sheet so despite being counselled by all concerned people to let Nana Addo try again without opposition, he refused and contested but this time he lost miserably. At the end he was humiliated by only 4.75% votes as against Akufo Addo's 94.35%. On his third try, Akufo Addo finally won the 2016 elections with Bawumia as the running mate. Bawumia at this time had become a household name and his role in the victory was visible to all. Within 8 years of hard work, he had built himself as a new force within the party and was ready to wrestle power with any opponent. Alan however relied on his longevity in the party, and his supposed sacrifice in 2008 that gave Akufo Addo the flagbearership without a run off and deemed appropriate to be honoured as the presidential candidate of the party on a silver platter.

Akufo Addo's presidency was coming to an end and the Elephant Family was bound to elect a flagbearer. Alan's main competitor was Dr. Bawumia who distinguished himself as vice. Alan had been there from the birth of the party in 1992 but Bawumia, the favored Veep had been in the party for far lesser years so logically it was the turn of Alan Cash to ride the back of the elephant to election 2024. Alan's campaign for the flagbearership drew many crowds and notable polls were in his favour too. After the Special Delegates Congress on 26th August, 2023, it was evident the one time powerful force was no longer a force after a humiliating 3rd position with only 95 votes as against 626 by Bawumia. The blow was so devastating that on 25th September, 2023 Alan once again resigned from the NPP after sensing a great impending defeat in the later delegates elections. Prior to the primaries, it was suggested by some party gurus that Alan should be made the running mate of Dr. Bawumia but he rubbised the idea. He was too big and too old in the party to partner with a newbie as Bawumia. His wife, Mrs. Patricia Christabel Kyerematen later conceded in an interview that Bawumia does not have a quarter of the knowledge of her husband thus implying it was nonsensical for 'knowledgeable' Alan to even be considered as a running mate to Bawumia. He felt insulted to bow to defeat. He thought the party was not fair to him after so many shots at the flagbearership position by allowing even a contest in the first place so he formed his own movement to contest in the 2024 elections.

Movement for change took off with a bang and everyone thought it was going to be a force to reckon with. Mega walks were held and the great Alan's movement was poised to give Bawumia a showdown. As the campaign heat grew, Alan's campaign was sadly reduced to waving at empty crowds and smiling at people who had no interest in engaging him. At times only few people gathered around to listen to his message which was an eye sore contrary to the large and enthusiastic crowds that greeted him when he was still in contest for the NPP's flagbearership race. He has lost everything! He could have easily won had Dr. Bawumia never showed up but it was too late. All hell was let lose when ex president Kufour of the NPP endorsed Dr. Bawumia, the presidential candidate of the NPP. Alan kyerematen spoke so harshly and bitterly against the endorsement in a very demeaning way. Alan was no longer the noble and gentleman we were made to believe he was, perhaps his real character was exposed by his determination to ruin the chances of the NPP in the elections. What did President Kufour do to warrant such attacks from Alan? It was evident his ship was sinking and all hopes of any meaningful impact in the elections was impossible.

Alan kyerematen got all he needed from the government but he together with his famous three; Yaw Boaben Asamoah (former Communications Director of the NPP), Nana Ohene Ntow( former General Secretary of the NPP) and Hopeson Adorye (former Deputy National Security Coordinator in Charge of Airports) sold Akufo Addo out to the dogs because of Dr. Bawumia, his loyal vice who was there for him from 2008 till date.

Without doubt, Alan was the man to succeed Akufo Addo but his impatience and pride gave birth to Dr. Bawumia, the man of destiny in 2012 who overtook him, and has since been the "darling boy" of many. The NPP forgave Alan after his resignation from the party in 2008 but will surely not forgive him after resigning from the party and forming his own in 2023 ahead of a very crucial elections to break the 8. Alas the great Alan Cash has sadly been reduced to the big man in yellow who allowed bitterness to ruin his presidential ambition! He will surely not forget 2012 and Dr. Bawumia, the man who stole his birthright and retired his dream of ever representing the NPP as the Presidential Candidate.