Rawlings is Frustrated - Ben Ephson

Political analyst and Editor-in-Chief of the 'Daily Dispatch' newspaper, Ben Ephson has described the continuous attack on the character of President John Evans Atta Mills by his former boss, Jerry John Rawlings as an act of frustration.

He believes Jerry Rawlings, who is the founder of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), the party on whose back Mills rode to office is finding it extremely difficult to come to terms with the fact that the incumbent President is exhibiting some level of independence.

In an exclusive interview with the paper to share his thoughts on the raging issues of internal democracy that has hit both the ruling NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Ephson, who is also a renowned Pollster, underscored that though the perception might not necessarily be true, it cannot be ignored in politics, stressing that "it is now becoming clear that Rawlings is getting frustrated by Mills' fair amount of independence."

Whilst he concedes that Rawlings is very popular, Mr. Ephson noted that his popularity is not enough to win power for the NDC.

According to him, the NDC won the 2008 election based on the character and personality of then candidate Mills, and not through the popularity or personality of Rawlings.

At any given time, he emphasised that both the NDC and NPP need floating voters to win power. "Clearly, Rawlings is not used to his ideas and ideals been neglected, so I think there is a honest frustration for not having his advise adhered to."

That notwithstanding, Ben Ephson believes that the NDC is better placed to come out of the challenges confronting it, with the belief that the situation would not get out of hand.

Tension is brewing in the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the continuous attack on the personality of President John Evans Atta Mills by Rawlings.

Credible but confidential sources close to both the seat of government, at the Castle and the party's Kokomlemle headquarters told The Chronicle that the NDC was still grabbling with the rippling effect of Rawlings' recent outburst in which he virtually sought to question the authority of the sitting President.

Rawlings is seen by some party members and other members of the public as trying strenuously to usurp the powers of President Mills.

They see Rawlings' continuous attack on the President as part of a deliberate ploy and 'hidden agenda' been hatched to create confusion and also to undermine President Mills for not towing his line.

According to our sources, this is gradually affecting the party, since it is creating factions and power blocs in the party. Under the current circumstance, the party is said to be divided into two power blocs, constituting those who support Rawlings' actions and those against him, for acting ultra vires, but also believe in Mills' leadership style.

For those who support Rawlings, the paper's sources have it that they appear to be unaware of his supposed 'hidden agenda and are blindly following him because they believe that he is being sidelined from the party, whilst others who support President Mills think Rawlings is harboring the feeling that he can still 'run the show' from behind the scene, though he is not in power. The usually calm President is said to have been infuriated by Rawlings' recent outburst in which he virtually sought to question his authority by raising doubts about his firm grasp on the nation's administration.

The President is, however, said to have referred the issue to some elders and key stakeholders of the party since the on-going animosity could affect the chances of the party in future elections, considering the fact that Ghanaians are gradually getting fed up with the ex President's tantrums.