Opinions of Friday, 3 June 2011

Columnist: Mensah, Robert

Can Nana Konadu Lead Ghana?

Can Nana Konadu be the president of Ghana? This was a question a friend asked me; and I answered: Yes, she can. But as to whether she will not take Ghana back to HIPC, is something I am not sure of. Before the husband took over power from Dr. Hilla Limann by the gun, he said it himself that he did not know law and did not understand economics- I don’t know if he does now- but I believe she understood some economics and law, and still does, because she was more educated than him.



In this wise, although the husband was the head of state, she was the one doing most of the thinking and that is why she is very confident that she can do the job. She has done it before behind the husband.

I was not a member of the NDC, and I am still not, but I like listening to other party’s candidates and members, and I listened to her once and on that day was enrolled as a member of her 31st December Youth Movement. Through her some of the youth in my area were recruited into the security forces. I was then preparing to enter into the university so I did not ask for a letter to join too. And I liked her for that, but I am now more like a human rights activist, and so I don’t support “an eye for an eye” type of politics- favouring only those who vote for your party.



Again, I like her boldness and bravery. Women have been left in the periphery for far too long and it is about time we got more ladies in the upper echelon of government and the highest position. But, I wish it were another woman. Although she may break a record, I believe what will happen to her will be similar to what happened to Mrs. Clinton in America. She will lose to Prof. Atta Mills.

And let me answer your question before you ask: Did Mrs. Clinton also want to be a president because she was ruling America behind her husband? Well, their case was different. But I have a strong inkling that Nana Konadu was presiding over Ghana behind her husband.



I will like to take this opportunity to urge the women of Ghana to come out and compete with the men for the highest position in the country- excluding present and former first and second ladies.



Prof. Atta Mills has also been too dull, but I like some two things that he has done. Before his election to the highest office, I thought he would let Mr. Rawlings control him. But he has been very firm, and I can tell through my psychic abilities that he has said to Rawlings in his mind that “Shut up, young man. I am a law professor and understand economics. If you were to pass your A-level, you could have been one of my students.” And the second thing that he did that I like was, not abandoning the projects of the previous government. The abandonment of past governments’ projects in African countries, I believe, is one of the things slowing our development. It is a waste of the countries’ resources. And that is why he is getting all the praises that should be given to Mr. J.A. Kuffour’s government; just because he completed and commissioned some, and he is still working on the rest and has also maintained Kuffours’ good policies.



Apart from these two things, he has not done much to improve the living conditions of Ghanaians and, I believe this will let them take wise decision about the right party to vote for next year.