Nana Konadu attacks gov’t

Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings has yet another spirited campaign against the political order in the country.

Nana Konadu who is the leader of the 31st December Women’s Movement (DWM) which used to be a virtual women’s wing of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) said “the rhetoric of our governments has not yet produced any results.” Over the years, she said “governments and institutions, have failed us women, while corruption has persisted.”

In a statement issued in Accra yesterday and signed by Sylvia Ahorlu, general secretary of the DWM to mark the 32nd anniversary celebration of the formation of the Movement, the former First Lady therefore charged: “As women, we need and demand a well-functioning government, a sound business environment, an equitable distribution of resources, acceptance of the rights of others, good relations with neighbours, the free flow of information, high levels of human capital, low levels of corruption and a country with sound security for all.” She was optimistic that “if these comparative areas are improved, it will reduce the vulnerabilities of women in Ghana.”

Mrs Rawlings used the occasion to challenge all women to speak out now, saying “together we can build and restore Ghana.”

“For the sake of the suffering masses whose interest is our prime concern, we urge all gender activists, companies, NGO’s and individuals to continue to be the voice of the voiceless,” the statement noted.

This, according to her, was because “the only real solution undoubtedly lies in the hands of women.”

Even though she admitted to the fact that the condition in Ghana and Africa was deeply confusing and extremely complex, nevertheless, she stressed the belief that “women are presented with a unique opportunity to take the bull by the horns and provide solutions to the problems facing our continent.”

She therefore stressed the need for women like herself to “play a leading and pivotal role in our country and continent’s affairs as a matter of urgency.”

The movement has decided to use the anniversary celebration to “assess the roads which lie ahead and those over which we have travelled. If the future road looms ominous or unpromising, and uninviting then we need to gather our resolve, carrying only the necessary baggage, step off that road into another direction,” adding that “if the new choice is also unpalatable, without embarrassment, we must be ready to change that as well. The suffering of women and children has persisted in Ghana and the rest of Africa for too long.”