The former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, picked up nomination forms on Tuesday May 3, amidst tight security at the party’s Headquarters at Kokomlemle, Accra, to contest her party’s presidential primaries in July.
Accompanied by her two daughters, Spokesperson of the Rawlingses Kofi Adams and MP for Lower Manya Michael Teye Nyaunu, Nana Konadu’s arrival at the party headquarters at 10:30 was heralded with drumming and dancing by her supporters from across the country, who wore T-shirts bearing her pictures and inscriptions such as “The Great Hope: Spirit of the Nation, and Be Bold: Our Last Chance”.
Conspicuously missing at the venue was her husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Shielded by a heavy security detail, she hustled through the thick crowd and managed to pick her forms at the conference hall of the party’s headquarters after paying the filing fee of 10, 000 Ghana Cedis.
Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the party’s General Secretary received the forms on behalf of the party.
Mrs. Rawlings, in a brief message to the media said her picking of the form marked the beginning of her campaign which is scheduled to be launched at the National Theatre on Wednesday May 4. She has up to May 10 to file her nomination papers.
"My picking of nomination forms today marks the beginning to take Ghana to where it belongs" She said.
Her likeliest opponent, President John Evans Atta Mills is expected to pick his forms on Thursday May 5.
A group supporting her candidature, Friends of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings (FONKAR), were there in their numbers. The media was also heavily represented, with a mad scramble to catch a glimpse of her and perhaps take a photograph or conduct an interview.
However, they were heckled and nearly beaten up by the party supporters.
The area around the party headquarters was awash with the former First Lady’s posters.
The wife of NDC founder Jerry John Rawlings resigned her position as NDC Vice Chairperson on April 13 “in response” to calls by her supporters to provide alternative leadership to the NDC.
The President of the 31st December Women’s Movement is expected to name members of her campaign team at a press conference at the International Conference Centre on Wednesday May 4, where she will be launching her campaign.
Sources say among the dignitaries expected to grace the occasion are her husband, former President Rawlings, Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah, a staunch Nana Konadu supporter, and the Member of Parliament for Lower Manya Krobo, Michael Teye Nyaunu, an avowed supporter of the Former First Family.
A group supporting Nana Konadu's candidature, Friends of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings (FONKAR) is also expected to represent fully at the launch.
Source: citifmonline
