JJ Meets Generals

Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings has explained that the recent meeting he held with President John Evans Atta Mills at the Flagstaff House was not about the National Democratic Congress (NDC) affairs but the tense situation in Ivory Coast, vis-à-vis Ghana’s role.

He denied, through a statement issued by his aide, Kofi Adams, that Captain Kojo Tsikata and Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings were part of the said meeting, even though the earlier report did not mention the former First Lady.

However, Nana Konadu has given a hint about her political ambition which she said was under consideration, promising to come out in due course, according to a recorded video message posted on the social network site, Facebook.

Giving details of the guest list, Rawlings said it was made up of Service Chiefs and some retired Generals who congregated at the Flagstaff House with President Mills.

Interestingly, the rejoinder did not dispute, as it is discernible from the foregone, that a meeting was held at the Flagstaff House.

The story, ‘JJ, Mills In Crunch Meeting’, carried on December 23, 2010 in this paper, according to the Office of the Ex-President, is full of lies. The office added that at no time were the affairs of the NDC discussed during the meeting.

“The recent meeting between President Mills and the Founder attended by some security Chiefs and retired Generals was held to discuss the crisis in Cote d’Ivoire and the role Ghana should be playing to resolve it. At no point, during the meeting, were matters involving the NDC discussed,” the statement sent to DAILY GUIDE explained.

It is thus a lie to state that: “The agenda on the table was ‘sack the greedy bastards and get my support, or maintain them and face Nana Konadu at the NDC congress’ later next year.”

The statement mentioned that “We are appalled that DAILY GUIDE failed to crosscheck such details with either this office or the Castle. It is irresponsible to feed the public with such lies, which are calculated at reducing the genuine criticisms of government by President Rawlings, into a petty individual agenda.”

The DAILY GUIDE report had it that a meeting was held between Mr. Rawlings and President Mills and Kojo Tsikata, with no mention of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, at the Flagstaff House.

The report added that the ex-President asked that some personalities be sacked from the President’s cabinet.

Interestingly, shortly after the report, the issue of a cabinet reshuffle has gained currency on the political terrain, with all sorts of conjectures being made.

President Mills has been incessantly described as being slow at executing the agenda of the NDC, creating disappointment among the foot-soldiers of the political grouping and party gurus including Mr. Rawlings.

In a related development, ex-First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings has assured her well-wishers that she would offer them hope in the dying days of 2010 and as the New Year approached.

Her New Year video message on the social networking site, Facebook, is an important indication about the President of the 31st December Women’s Movement’s political ambition.

Friends of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings who have continued to champion the cause of the lady are said to be piling pressure on her to enter the political ring of the NDC and challenge President Mills.

Nana Konadu’s silence, including the promise of hope she sent to her admirers and the recent posting of her posters, have heightened speculations about her political ambitions.

Observers have wondered where funding for the Nana Konadu for President campaign is coming from if the former First Lady was not behind it.

The full colour posters and the operation of the website, alongside other activities, are indicators about the availability of money somewhere.

She has called on Ghanaians in an X’mas message to reflect soberly on the dying year: “This message is to all those who have been coming on Facebook to wish me a merry Christmas and a reflective new year.

“…Reflecting because we’ve got to have hope, and I hope this Christmas into the New Year we will be able to give some level of hope and expectations to all those who believe in me and want the best for themselves.

“Happy and reflective New Year,” she said.