NDC splits over Konadu return

A suggestion that elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) should find amicable ways of getting Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, return to the party has been split the opinion of key party leaders and both sides have gone public with their positions.

Otokunor

The NDC Deputy General Secretary in Charge of Operations,  Peter Boamah Otokunor has made it public that Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings has to obey the party’s constitution as stated in Article 8 by going to pick a membership form to re apply as a party member even before the party leadership may consider her application.

He said Nana Konadu willingly resigned from the NDC and if she herself has had a change of mind and wants to return to the party of which she is a co-founder, she would not be stopped once she follows the laid down procedures of how t rejoin.

“The right to association is an inalienable right that has been bestowed to every citizen of this country and with such rights, its commission or omission can only be exercised by that person. So as we saw with Madam Konadu leaving the party, it was in exercise of her right that is why for now she is not a member of NDC and belongs to a different party.

“If she has realized that her action and her commission haven’t helped her in achieving her political or any objectives that she might have, it is just fair she comes back to the competition of the NDC. Relying on the republic of Ghana Constitution to commission, she can go through the procedure of becoming a member of the NDC. She has to apply and the leadership will consider the application and just follow the procedure,” Mr. Otokunor told Starr FM on Monday.

Kofi Adams

However, the Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency, Mr. Kofi Adams, who happens to be a former National Organizer of the NDC has said he disagrees with any suggestion that Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings should be asked to go and pick a party membership form to reapply before she rejoins the party.

Kofi Adams explained to Citi News: “I don’t think somebody of her stature will have to go through the processes of admitting new members to the party”

He said  it is an uncontestable truth that Nana Konadu is a founding member of the NDC and had paid her dues over the years.

Therefore, if there is a misunderstanding and she left the party, talks about her return should not be held as though she were an ordinary party member who left and wants to rejoin.

Kofi Adams pleaded with the Former First Lady to disregard the negative suggestions and comments that may come from some party members but should rather focus on the bigger picture of how her comeback would further solidify the NDC as a united front and put it in a better position to play its role in the country.

Kofi Adams gave a tall list of leading members of the NDC who resigned either to join other political parties or even form their own parties yet after a while, they returned to the NDC and were received with both hands.

He mentioned Dr. Obed Asamoah and Goosie Tanoh as examples of NDC returnees who are today contributing their quota to the advantage of the party.

Koku Anyidoho

Meanwhile Mr. Koko Anyidoho, a former Deputy General Secretary has said the suggestion that Nana Konadu should be made to return to the NDC is an intelligent one in the right direction.

He said talks that the return of Nana Konadu should be premised on her picking of membership forms and other bureaucratic gymnastics is misplaced.

“Anybody who says someone will have to reapply is being ridiculous. It is a political organization. So where from this reapply? It is ridiculous and preposterous to the extreme. Reapply for what? When the NDC was being found by Konadu and her husband, where was the person saying that Konadu should reapply? Let’s give respect to where respect is due”, Mr. Anyidoho told Happy Fm.

Zanetor

Though suggestions that Nana Konadu ought to rejoin the NDC has come up a couple of times over the past years, such talks have generally been in whispers behind closed doors until it was made official and public  last Friday November 12,  by none other but her own daughter, the NDC-Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle Constituency Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings:

“…Let me say the thing that nobody wants to say. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is an integral part of this party. Let us do what we have to do to bring her back.

“In every family, there is conflict. But in every family, there are elders who will be part of the mediation of the conflict. We are calling on our elders. We don’t know what tomorrow holds. But if we want true victory, a convincing win, so that we can rescue the people of Ghana from where we are today, let us do what we have to do,” Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings said in her address at a press conference held at the NDC’s headquarters in commemoration of the passing of its founder, the late Jerry John Rawlings, Zanetor’s dad, Konadu’s late husband.

The rather daring-call by pretty-faced Zanetor was greeted by cheers and applauds from a section of her audience at the press conference.

Public response after the call has been of mix reactions.