General News of Friday, 3 July 2015

Source: Today Newspaper

Nana Konadu questions EC boss' nationality

Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings - former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings - former First Lady

Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings has questioned the nationality of the newly- appointed chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Charlotte Osei.

“I want people to do their homework well and really find out if positions for Ghanaians can be given to foreigners, Mrs. Rawlings asked.

Though the founder of the National Democratic Party (NDP) did not mention anybody’s name, it was obvious she was referring to the recent appointment of the new EC boss.

Her allegation comes on the backdrop of recent speculations that Mrs. Charlotte Osei is a Nigerian by birth.

The former first lady was reacting to the front page story of the Daily Graphic on July 1, 2015 with the banner headline; “I’LL NEVER LET YOU DOWN, NEW EC BOSS ASSURES GHANAIANS” on Africa Live Show which is broadcast live on Business Television Africa (BTA) and First Television (FTV) on Monday and Friday.

She could not understand why a state-owned newspaper like the Daily Graphic should have a story on its front page on the new EC when Ghana was marking her 55th Republic Day celebration.

The veteran politician who is known for her strong criticism of the ruling government, decried the lack of professionalism which was exhibited by the state-owned newspaper.

According to her, the newspaper did not take into consideration the importance of the day to the country.

And not mincing words, the former first lady said: “this is so wrong, it’s totally wrong for a national newspaper like Graphic to do that.”

Mrs. Rawlings, who is a Graphic designer by profession, said even though she is not a journalist, she however claimed, her little knowledge in Journalism would not permit that.

She consequently registered her disappointment in President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Mrs. Charlotte Osei as the new chairperson of the EC.