Politics of Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Source: The Herald Newspaper

Aflao snubs Konadu

The intention by the founder and leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Nana Konadu Agyemang-Rawling, to soar up the fortunes of her parliamentary candidate for the Ketu South Constituency, Mr. Samuel Avulekpor while burying that of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) Fiifi Kwetey, came crushing last Sunday, as she was met at the rally grounds by empty chairs and canopies.

The well-arranged venue was deserted with only three people to show the NDP candidate and two of his friends- while the public address system including huge loudspeakers was blaring away music for nobody’s ears.

Indeed, Mrs. Rawlings’ entourage packed in two Toyota Land Cruisers was more than NDP members in the densely populated border town. Mrs. Rawlings consequently got furious and verbally abused her parliamentary candidate, Mr. Samuel Avulekpor for making her a laughing stock in Aflao.

Her problem was that Mr. Avulekpor knew he was not popular, yet he went for money to organize a rally for only three attendees. Mrs. Rawlings, was going to use the platform to attack Mr. Fiifi Kwetey, the Deputy Minister of Finance, who used to work with ex-President Jerry John Rawlings, but fell out with the family, for choosing the late John Mills, over Nana Konadu in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential race.

Mrs. Rawlings had stormed the busy Volta Regional town of Aflao to campaign for one of the few parliamentary aspirants vying for a seat in Parliament, but the once most powerful woman could not believe her eyes as there was no one at the rally grounds to receive her.

At about 10 O’clock that Sunday morning, Mrs. Rawlings, according to The Herald’s sources, arrived at the Aflao Victory Park with two Land cruisers, hoping to see an enthusiastic crowd waiting for her to mount the platform to gunner vote for Mr. Avulekpor.

Thinking she might have arrived at the grounds earlier than expected, Mrs. Rawlings with her entourage hastily rushed to the paramount chief of the Aflao Traditional Area, Torgbui Fiti Adzonugaga V to greet him.

In what was supposed to be a brief visit to the chief, Mrs. Rawlings spent about an hour, only to return to the rally ground, again to meet the empty chairs and canopies.

Mrs. Rawlings decided to drive through town as far as to the Ghana-Togo border, trying to draw attention to herself, but again this did not work as the ground was still empty upon her return.

Out of embarrassment, Mrs. Rawlings heavily descended on her parliamentary candidate and reduced him to nothing with insults for humiliating her.

The ex-First Lady then hopped into her car and sped off towards Accra, to the amusement of onlookers. Mrs. Rawlings was last week accused by her former right hand man Dr. Offei Agyemang for receiving cash from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) for her party.

Before the Sunday encounter, our sources revealed that the NDP with an NDP branded pickup vehicle, for about a week announced the coming of Mrs. Rawlings to introduce the NDP parliamentary candidate and launch his campaign for the December 7, elections and so they were surprised that supporters and residents refused to show up at the rally ground.