RawlingsTo Contest Mills In 2012 ?

WHEN the news first broke out that Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was eying the presidency, hence the persistent attacks on President Mills by her husband, many were those who doubted the feasibility and credibility of the story. But, it appears the news is gradually gaining grounds, after the formation of a youth group in the ruling party to champion the cause.

The group, “Movement for Nana Konadu for 2012,” has already started preparations towards championing the first female presidency in the country. Underground campaigning and lobbying have already started for the president of the 31st December Women’s Movement.”

The movement made its appearance at the just-ended June 4th celebration at Tamale, when they displayed banners and T-shirts embossed with the photograph of the former first lady.

The spokesperson for the group, Henry Oware told The Chronicle in an interview that if everything goes according to plan, Nana Konadu will lead the NDC party and subsequently become the first female president for Ghana .He noted that the move is based on the party’s philosophy of women empowerment. He stated that looking at the achievements of the former first lady, as the president of the 31st December Women’s Movement, coupled with her managerial and organisational ability, Nana Konadu would be the perfect woman for the job. Even though Oware said the former first lady was yet to give her consent to the move, she was very shocked and overwhelmed to see her banner and T-shirts last Friday at Tamale.

“We had been looking for the opportunity to meet with the former first lady, so we decided to gate-crash her at Tamale, and she appears to be very comfortable with the move.”

He, however, stressed that the group was not acting under any influence, adding, “we have decided to champion this cause, and we believe it is about time we got the first woman president in Ghana.”

Oware said the movement seeks to follow the footsteps of countries like Liberia, Argentina and Pakistan, where the wives of former presidents have been elected as president.

He also debunked the assertion that the timing was wrong, stressing that a thousand mile journey begins with a step. He further said their move would not have any direct bearing on the unity of the party.

Rumours have been rife about the possibility of the former first lady vying for the presidency, even though there has been no official declaration. Some even believe the incessant attacks on the sitting President, Prof.John Evans Atta Mills, by Mr. Jerry John Rawlings, was a deliberate ploy by the former president to discredit the incumbent President, and prepare the grounds for his wife’s presidency.