Why I Want To Replace Mills – Konadu

It has now emerged that Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, disagreed with certain critical decisions of her husband, ex-President Jerry John Rawlings in his 18 years’ rule as Ghana’s Head of State between 1981-2000.

The disagreement has come out in a five-page document Nana’s aides distributed to the media yesterday when she picked nomination forms to enable her contest the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Congress to elect its 2012 flagbearer. Konadu will be launching her campaign today.

Nana Konadu’s disagreement with her husband seems to be in his choice of certain appointments. The document lists certain reasons why Nana Konadu wants to replace President John Atta Mills as the Party’s flagbearer.

Under the heading, “What is Prof. Mills’ Omissions & Commissions?’, the second point states: “President Mills is tilting towards CPP, instead of being NDC. He is of CPP background, he chose John Mahama whose father was a CPP Minister as his running mate; his Chief of staff, Martey Newman is CPP; his Secretary, Bebaako Mensah is CPP and his advisors, the Ahwois are CPP.”

Rawlings was the Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and was elected President under the NDC in the 1992 & 1996 elections.

Regarding President Mills, it was Rawlings who went and begged Mills to be his running mate; Rawlings appointed John Mahama in various ministerial positions, one being the Minister of Communications; Rawlings appointed Newman as the Chief Executive of COCOBOD; Rawlings appointed Bebaako Mensah as the Secretary to his Cabinet; Rawlings brought Kwabena Duffuor from London to be the deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana in 1995 and made him Governor in 1997.

Regarding the Ahwois, Rawlings made them important members of his various governments. Mr. Ato Ahwoi was a member of the National Economic Review Committee; was the PNDC Secretary for Trade and Secretary at the PNDC Chairman’s Office. Between 1986 and 1992, Rawlings gave him three Ministerial portfolios – Energy, National Revenue and Structural Adjustment.

Rawlings made Mr. Kwamena Ahwoi (now Professor Kwamena Ahwoi) a Minister of Local Government for so many years, making him to date, the longest serving Minister of Local Government. Kwamena also worked at eh Public Tribunals under the PNDC and at various times, handled Foreign Affairs and Revenue Secretariat.

If Nana Konadu’s husband, ex-President Rawlings found them efficient, he used them. If they were CPP, did that affect their efficiency?

To Be Contd