Rawlings didn't say Konadu has no presidential ambitions --Ben Ephson

Ben Ephson, Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Dispatch         Polster Ben Ephson has said Ghanaians should not assume that the controversy surrounding Nana Konadu’s presidential ambitions are over just because of Mr. Rawlings’ comments in Tamale at the weekend. Former president Rawlings, speaking at the funeral of the late Northern Regional Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Zakari, said his criticism of the Mills administration was not because he or his wife was interested in the presidency. Sections of the public and the media have said Mr Rawlings' statement is a clear indication that the former First Lady, contrary to widely held view that she will contest Mills in 2012, has no presidential ambititons, at least for 2012. But Mr Ben Ephson, credited as an election watcher has described the comments made by ex-President Rawlings during the weekend on Nana Konadu’s intentions about the Presidency as irrelevant. Ben Ephson who was speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday said Mr Rawlings' comments cannot be taken to mean Nana Konadu is not going to run for flag-bearership of the ruling NDC in 2012. Ben Ephson was reacting to statements made by a Specials Aide to the Rawlingses, Kofi Adams, who had earlier explained that the former first family are only criticizing President Mills in order to get the government to render justice where it is due to appease families who have been hurt by the political system during the eight years of the NPP regime. Ex-president Rawlings stated over the weekend during an interaction with northern chiefs that neither he nor his wife was interested in Mills’ presidency. Ben Ephson however said that “what the former president did not say is that ‘My wife (Mr. Rawlings’ wife) is not interested in 2012,’” stressing that calls being made for Nana Konadu to compete with President Mills for the flagbearship of the party has antecedents that should not be overlooked. Kofi Adams earlier indicated on the same programme that, the former president'S criticisms to draw the government’s attention to wrongs that are going on in the administration which could hurt the fortunes of the party. Kofi Adams believes that even though the case of the Ya-Na and Alhaji Issah Mobilla are in court, the people who gave the orders for such crimes to be committed were at the top of the political echelon and should be made to face the wrath of the law. Mr. Adams pointed out that Mr. Rawlings’ concerns are always misinterpreted and that his criticisms are not intended to push his wife to become president, adding that “if that is the only way of ascending to the Presidency, then they are not interested.” He will not answer directly if Mrs Rawlings will or will not run in 2012, insisting she doesn't have the power to make that decision. Source: Derick Romeo Adogla/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana