Nana Rawlings to challenge Mills' candidacy

For the first time former first lady and President of the 31st December Women's Movement, Nana Rawlings, has publicly said that she will challenge incumbent John Atta Mills for the National Democratic Congress'(NDC) presidential nomination in the 2012 elections.

Last week, when asked about her political intentions at a conference on women's empowerment, Rawlings said: “Having an intent is a good thing and I'm sure you all have aspirations, It is good to have aspirations and it is good to have an intent. The intent is there but I have not declared yet.”

We hear that Rawlings made a similar declaration to former minister of education, Harry Sawyer, at the NDC's Council of Elders in January. Rawlings' supporters are already wearing tee-shirts bearing slogans such as “I believe in Nana Konadu” and “Change, real change”, many of which are said to have been printed on the former first couple's instructions.

In Winneba, Rawlings said that that emerging democracies would only prosper if women are encouraged to run for high office. She spoke of her political ambitions in the context of women's rights: “It is only when women are part of policy planning and implementation that we see the requisite improvement in the lives of women.” This is a shrewd tactic given the growing business and political profile of women in Ghana.

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