Ghana ex-trade minister quits ruling party to run for president

A supporter of Ghana's presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) holds a party flag as she reacts at party's headquaters in Accra, Ghana December 8, 2016. REUTERS/Luc Gnago/File Photo

ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's former trade minister said on Monday he would resign from the ruling party and run as an independent candidate during the next presidential election in December 2024, dividing a government faced with dwindling support as it grapples with the worst economic crisis in a generation.

Alan Kyeremanten, who has served twice as trade minister for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), made the announcement at a briefing and said his contributions were not appreciated. He had already resigned from his ministerial role in January.