Kyerematen doubles down on third-force challenge as UP eyes 2028 presidential run

Alan Kyerematen, founder of the United Party (UP), has reiterated his determination to disrupt Ghana's two-party political landscape, arguing that three decades of NPP-NDC alternation has failed to deliver the transformative development the nation requires. Speaking in a recent interview, the former Trade and Industry Minister insisted that sustained political alternatives are essential for Ghana to achieve meaningful progress comparable to other developing economies.

Kyerematen's renewed push comes as he prepares the UP for the 2028 general elections, having previously contested the 2024 presidential race as an independent candidate under the Movement for Change—a structure later formalised into the United Party. His comments reflect a long-standing frustration with what he characterises as the duopolistic stranglehold of Ghana's two oldest political parties.

The development deficit argument

At the heart of Kyerematen's pitch is a critique of tangible governance outcomes. He points to persistent challenges in critical infrastructure—roads, electricity provision, and healthcare delivery—as evidence that neither the NPP nor NDC has implemented coherent, long-term development strategies capable of addressing Ghana's structural needs. His comparison with China's sustained policy approach underscores a broader argument: transformational change requires continuity and visionary planning that transcends electoral cycles.

This messaging resonates with a segment of Ghanaian voters who feel disenfranchised by the binary choice between the two major parties. However, the UP's electoral performance in 2024, when Kyerematen secured a modest vote share running independently, suggests significant work remains in building institutional party machinery and broadening grassroots appeal before 2028.

Why it matters for Ghana

The emergence of credible third-force candidates challenges Ghana's democratic status quo in ways that could reshape electoral dynamics. If the UP gains traction, it may force both the NPP and NDC to sharpen policy offerings and address voter frustrations with past performance. Conversely, a fragmented opposition could benefit an incumbent, depending on how votes split in 2028.

Kyerematen's pitch for an alternative hinges on positioning the UP as above partisan tribalism—a framing that appeals to swing voters and political moderates tired of increasingly toxic NPP-NDC rivalries. However, translating this appeal into organisational capacity, funding, and electoral success remains Ghana's third-force perennial challenge. The 2028 election will test whether Ghanaians are genuinely ready to break from established parties or whether structural advantages—incumbency, party machinery, voter familiarity—remain insurmountable.

For now, Kyerematen's message is clear: the UP represents a gamble on change over continuity, and he is betting that Ghanaian voters will embrace it.