Metamorphosis: A Movement to a Political Party.

Metamorphosis: A Movement to a Political Party.

On October 16, 2025, Ghanaians witnessed the birth of a new political party, the United Party (UP), by Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, a prominent political figure of our time.

According to him, the UP is a transition from the Movement for Change, a movement he founded and represented as an independent presidential candidate in the 2024 General Election of Ghana. This was after his second divorce with the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Some members of the NPP are allegedly threatening Alan with a court action for choosing the name United Party (UP). Here is the reason why they believe the name UP as a third political force in Ghana would be a dent on their party’s progress.

As far as the political history of Ghana is concerned, NPP is a child of the ‘Danquah-Busia-Dombo’ tradition. And of course the second and only surviving political party of that tradition to have won election in Ghana after the victory of the Progress Party (PP) under the leadership of Dr K A Busia in 1969.

During the 1956 General Election which ushered Ghana into independence, almost all the political parties were formed on either tribal or religious lines. Their names confirms this stance.

Thus, Northern People’s Party(NPP), Muslim Association Party, National Liberation Movement(NLM), Anlo Youth Organisation, Togoland Congress, and the Ga Shifimokpee. The Convention People’s Party(CPP) emerged victorious in that election.

To ensure that political parties became national institutions and not based on religious, regional or tribal affiliations, the Nkrumah government acted swiftly by passing the Avoidance of Discrimination Act, 1957.

This Act banned all political parties and organisations that were confined to or identifiable to any racial, ethnic or religious groups with effect from 31st December, 1957.

As a result of this, all the opposition parties came together to form the United Party(UP) under the leadership of Dr. K. A Busia and Chief S. D Dombo as his deputy. Dr. K. A Busia and Chief S. D Dombo led the National Liberation Movement and the Northern Peoples Party respectively in the 1956 election of Ghana.

Hence, Mr. Alan Kyerematen, his Movement for Change and it’s Transition into the newest political party in Ghana, the United Party is no doubt a ‘neck presser’ of the current main opposition party, the NPP since they all originate from a common ancestor, the United Gold Coast Convention.

Pictures: Alan(white shirt), Dr Busia(Kente cloth), SD Dombo(smock).