How Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings can save the NDC

As the NDC prepares to go to congress to select a flagbearer for 2012 general elections, it is clear beyond all reasonable doubt that John Mills cannot win the next general election. Although the NDC as a political party is very strong on the ground, the President's personal ratings are beyond repair. Forget all the razzmatazz over Mills. The NDC have only one option for presidential candidate for 2012 general election. And Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings now seems more likely than Mills to become the next president of Ghana. In stating this paradox, I am not imagining some outlandish scenario, such as Nana Konadu flouncing off and winning the presidency as an independent. All I am saying is that John Mills is much more likely than Mrs Rawlings to be defeated by Akufo Addo in 2012.

I know that describing Mrs Rawlings as a stronger candidate in the general election than President Mills is at odds with the conventional wisdom of Ghana's political pundits. But, as odd as it seems, Nana Konadu has become a player in national politics and at the grassroots. Her emergence should be a lesson to rudderless power brokers in government. According to some so-called political pundits, changing Mills with Nana Konadu will not favour the NDC so why do I believe that nominating the former First Lady would give the NDC a much stronger assurance of success in 2012? What are her chances? She certainly has the wherewithal, the stature, the credibility the personality and the sincerity to lead this nation. It must also be admitted that she is well liked! She has the reputation for being generous and charming and most Ghanaians – alas-seem to have soft spot for her. I have to admit that I kind of like Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. Partly it's that she is someone I considers as one of the greatest politicians this country has ever produced. More important, Nana Konadu is something unusual in politics. She appears to believe in something. Her fundamental views have not changed since 1981, when she decided to become campaigner for women and children. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is many things to many people, revered in some quarters,reviled in others but the fact is she has seen it all in politics. We know Nana Konadu just like any other human being isn't perfect, but then all we really crave for is an honest man – or – woman, who will do an honest job and not continue to make the NDC a laughing stock in the eyes of Ghanaians.

Those at the helm of the NDC's affairs must think ahead, or the party risks getting defenestrated at the earliest possible opportunity due to a seething popular sentiment that, the president "is in over his head", and out of his depth. Even the most ardent supporters of Mills in public are privately dismayed by his performance. The most credible scenario would be for Mills to step down for good sense to prevail. He's done his best, but people who matter are saying that it can't go on. Any chance of mounting a respectable election campaign will necessitate a different leader for the NDC. The conclusion that many people have reached is that Mills is a failure and the NDC need a stronger leader. It cannot be the case that the NDC has run out of steam. There are plenty of ideas — but the alternative ideas are being squashed by the man at the top.

It's no good going for a candidate who cannot win the heart and minds of the ordinary man. The NDC needs a leader who looks ready for the future and really wants the job. The party has to move on and offer an alternative to Mills. He is desperate to hang on to power inspite of his failures but the voters are disenchanted with his administration. Mills' statist approach to politics has no appeal to the iPod generation. So it's down to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings — the one woman who could win the 2012 election for the NDC. There are many who hope that Nana Konadu, having empowered Ghanaian women, freeing them from being hewers of wood and drawers of water to being actors, in political arena, will save the NDC.

Konadu is physically and intellectually strong enough to take on a difficult campaign. She is one of the most experienced prospective candidates the NDC has had in a long while: wife of a former president, and a former first lady. Nana Konadu is virtuous to boot and can make the case that needs to be made. She has a well-honed international outlook on life, unlike some of our present leaders who cannot see beyond their villages and tribes. Nana Konadu can relate to anybody from anywhere, be they child or adult, male or female, black or white, educated or uneducated, northerner or southerner, westerner or easterner, mediocre or talented. She can inspire a new generation to new heights of social responsibility with her exemplary biography. And Nana Konadu will bring in a new and fresh generation of hardworking, intelligent, educated,upright and incorruptible batch of Ghanaians into the public realm. Many people view Konadu's position and vision as something they firmly believe in, irrespective of her leadership qualities. Some believe she is too liberal, some too conservative however the overwhelming majority sees her as strong leader. Her track record is impeccable with endless hours of work and advocacy for families and children. Konadu has been a proven fearless worker; Also, Konadu is a strong advocate of the ordinary people. Still, the NDC needs to study Nana Konadu and learn. No one has better captured the sense of Ghanaians. No one has been more consistent about sticking to core conservative values—including the one that says that power belongs to the ordinary people. If the NDC is going to appeal to disaffected voters, it has to confront its own inefficiencies. The national democratic congress need to find a populist edge again. What they need is a candidate who embodies the spirit of Nana Konadu Agyeman- Rawlings. NDC can't win under Mills, and that is a fact. Can you imagine anyone wanting another four years of him? For the party to avoid going into oblivion for a generation he's got to go. Nana Konadu is a dedicated and proven leader. She's a very courageous and staid human being and can lead and lead well.

Do we continue to pursue the bad policies of President Mills or do we chart a new course? I believe we can and we must chart a new course led by Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. We cannot afford four more years of the same broken ideological policies. Nana Konadu must be our President. And the real social Democrats must once again clean up an economic mess the New Patriotic Party left behind. So Ghana should probably prepare for President Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. President Mills may have to go into retirement.

We shall be back! Emmanuel Dela Coffie www.delacoffie.wordpress.com