Konadu Eye Red

Former First Lady and opponent of Prof John Evans Atta Mills in the race for the flagbearership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings seems to be giving the President sleepless nights, as she is reportedly making inroads in her endeavour to unseat him as the party leader. Due to her aggressive push, President Mills last week had to make a quick dash to Koforidua in the Eastern region where he met delegates to convince them not to be �taken in� by Konadu�s �sweet tongue�, as it were. The gathering was held under the guise of meeting Metropolitan, Municipality and District Chief Executive (MMDCEs) from the southern sector for an annual review conference to take stock of their achievements and what they could do to improve upon the party�s chances of retaining power in 2012. Another meeting is reportedly planned for Ashanti region next week for the President to meet his henchmen, seen as useful agents who would play important roles in his shaky re-election bid. Meanwhile, reliable sources indicate that work at the ministries departments and agencies (MDAs) seem to have taken a �go slow� turn, with ministers and their deputies as well as other government appointees hitting the campaign road. While Nana Konadu has increased her visibility by mounting huge billboards across the country as well as full-page colour adverts in the newspapers, her contender, the President, is relying more on state-organized durbars and meetings. Late this week, Nana Konadu took her revitalized campaign to the three Northern regions where reports said she was mobbed by hordes of people pouring into the streets and pavements not only to catch a glimpse of her but to also listen to the message she had for them. She was said to have made a forceful entry into the Upper West regional capital of Wa where she was given a rousing welcome amidst wild cheers. Even before she arrived in the municipality, tons of people were said to have gathered on the outskirts of the township, with some riding motorbikes and vehicles to welcome the former First Lady. After exchanging pleasantries with her supporters, Nana Konadu then called on the Wa Na, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, to inform him of her intentions to lead the NDC as its flagbearer, after which she and members of her campaign team met delegates in a private session to explain her vision for the party. In the course of her campaign tour, she also visited Tumu and Jirapa in the Upper West Region where she and members of her campaign team paid a courtesy call on the Jirapa Naa, Naa Angsole Ganaa II. She then took her campaign to Bawku in the Upper East Region where she also paid a courtesy call on the Bawku Naba, Asigri Azoka Abugrago II and pledged her commitment to the development of the area. Mrs. Rawlings took the opportunity to meet the Bawku Traditional Council with an appeal to them to strengthen the peace process to enable the region to develop, whilst commending the chiefs and people for their commitment and support for the NDC. She also thanked them for travelling to Accra to commiserate with her family when their Ridge residence was gutted and completely razed down by fire on Valentine�s Day February 14, 2010. From there, the team proceeded to Navrongo where, aside meeting delegates, it also called on the Navro Pio, Dr. A.B. Adda. Bolgatanga was equally not left out of the celebration when she made a stopover to pay a courtesy call on the Bolga Naba. In the Northern Region, Konadu�s team toured Tamale, Kumbungu, Damongo, Yendi, Bimbilla and Walewale. In Tamale, the former First Lady called on the Gukpena, Regent Abu Safianu and the Dakpema Naa Alhaji Abdulai Ziblim. She was also at the Yagbonwura�s palace in Damongo where the Paramount Chief of Gonjaland, Wura Tutunma Jejelemu II, met her. Nana Konadu also visited the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi and also called on the Kumbungu Naa, Alhaji Abu Iddrisu. She finally thanked the chiefs and people of Kumbungu for their support for the NDC�s vision and asked for their blessings in her quest to become President of Ghana. On his part, the Kumbungu Naa expressed profound gratitude to Mrs Rawlings for her visit and promised to pray for success, unity and peace in the NDC. The chief said he was convinced only the NDC could unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the late chief of Dagbon, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani.