Blows at Konadu Vetting

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A scene at the NDC headquarters on June 7, 2011 when Konadu went for vetting.

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Wednesday June 8, 2011.
The level of intimidation that the camp of Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer aspirant, has been complaining about resurfaced yesterday when she appeared before a vetting committee at the party’s Kokomlemle headquarters in Accra.

Placards that appear to be condemning her bid to lead the NDC in 2012 and at the same time extolling the virtues of President John Evans Atta Mills, her main contender greeted her when she arrived for the vetting amidst the throwing of blows by supporters of both candidates.

But for the professional manner in which her bodyguards managed the situation, it would have been bloody as hired placards-holding hoodlums were brought to put the ‘fear of God in her’.

Matters came to a head when about 10 young men who were allegedly ‘sponsored’ by elements within the Get Atta Mills Endorsed (GAME) stormed the party’s headquarters with hostile placards to cause ‘disaffection’ for the former First Lady. Barbara Asamoah, spokesperson for GAME name resonated as the likely brain behind the commotion.

Nana Konadu arrived at the party’s headquarters at about 10:40am and the ‘protesters’ who came in a Green Hyundai mini trotro bus with registration GR 629–11 started displaying the placards.

The supporters who were accompanying Mrs. Rawlings pounced on the ‘protesters’ with some receiving hefty slaps and others being chased away.

When information reached the Konadu bodyguards they rushed to the scene outside the office to intervene and in the process they brought some of the ‘protesters’ including the driver of the vehicle to safety.

The Konadu boys then seized the placards and there were reports that the placards were sent 31st office at Ridge despite pleas by Yaw Boateng Gyan, National Organiser of the party that the placards be brought to the party’s office.

The Konadu boys in the process started accusing GAME and the party’s national executives of being behind the protest and also working against the interest of Mrs. Rawlings.

The angry-looking supporters then entered one of the party’s executive’s office, DAILY GUIDE learnt it was Anita De Sousou, Women’s Organiser office and brought out more placards to prove that the NDC executives were behind what they called “the shameful act”.

One Konadu supporter said “this is a clear case of leadership’s failure. Party executives who are supposed to remain neutral have taken sides and are intimidating our beloved Konadu but we are capable of resisting every intimidation.”

Some of the placards read: ‘Prof Molls don’t mind him’, ‘Mills all the way’, ‘Atta Mills Asomdweehene’, ‘NDC is not for Konadu’, ‘John and John Part 1 and 2’ ‘We want Mills” among many others.

National Security operatives took over the security of the place and they did not have it easy controlling the Konadu supporters who had become enraged as a result of what happened.

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings together with Kofi Adams, spokesperson for the Rawlingses spent about 45 minutes at the vetting room where Alhaji Issifu Ali, Dr. Mrs. Mary Grant, Cletus Avoka, Leonard Mobila, Larry Adjetey and Chris Ackumey all members of the Vetting Committee quizzed her.

When they came out to the reception area, a horde of media personnel swam on Mrs. Rawlings, eager to ask question.

She said “it was smooth. I think the committee was fair. The issues were based mainly on the way forward for the party.”

She said she responded to the issues raised by the committee candidly.

“Although the process was rather long, the questions were basically on the way forward for the party and I think they were really fair,” she said.

Mrs. Rawlings who was itching to go outside to salute her supporters said “I am returning to my campaign tour. The campaign has been going well.”

She cut short her tour of the Ashanti region to face the vetting committee.

Immediately she stepped outside, the shouts of ‘Be Bold! Be Bold!’ greeted her from her supporters who had stormed the Kokomlemle headquarters of the party.

According to sources close to the vetting committee the presidential aspirant complained about intimidation of her campaign group and supporters and was given the assurance by the committee that her grievances will be addressed.

The second candidate, President John Evans Atta Mills, would be vetted today after which delegates list will be released on June 10.
went for vetting