Nana Konadu challenged over change of 31st Dec Movement name

The founder and leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings has been challenged on the basis for changing the name of the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM).

Nana Konadu recently announced that the name of the movement had been changed to Development Women’s Movement.

In addition, she said the movement has also been changed in its character

But, a press statement issued and signed by the Central Regional Organiser of the movement, Aba Edusah on behalf of its members said the move was illegal.

“The publication in the Daily Graphic of 19th June 2017 granted by Dr Mrs Nana Konadu purporting that the Movement has changed its name to Development Women’s Movement
and changed its character. This publication is a fabrication and not true. The contents of the said publication are illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional”

Quoting the constitution, she said, “ The laws of Ghana states clearly that each citizen has the freedom of association, therefore members of 31st December Women’s
Movement cannot automatically become members of the newly created Development Women’s Movement without the express consent of each member”.

She said Dr. Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings had held herself out as President of the Movement in total contravention of the stipulated five year- term.

She further stated that the former first lady had not called for a congress as per the regulations of the Movement over twenty years.

The group alleged that huge sums of monies had been dissipated and assets sold from the accounts of 31st DWM by Dr. Mrs. Rawlings without following proper internal processes.

They therefore called for an audit into the activities of the movement under the leadership of former first lady

Below is the full statement 

PRESS STATEMENT DELIVERED, BY THE CENTRAL REGIONAL ORGANISER OF THE 31ST DECEMBER WOMEN MOVEMENT, ABA EDUSAH, ON BEHALF OF THE MOVEMENT

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Good Day.

By introduction and as a matter of record, We the members of the 31st December Women’s Movement bring to your notice that the 31st December Women’s Movement is a non-governmental organization. Established almost 34 years ago and registered under the laws of Ghana as a company limited by Guarantee under the Company’s code 1963 (Act 179).

By this, the movement works within its regulation and constitution since it was established. The membership of the movement at one time stood at about one million Ghanaian women of age 18 and above irrespective of creed, religion, tribe, profession, marital status, and social standing. it embraced women living in and outside Ghana.

The functions of the movement are based on democratic governance, which involves the participation of every member in the decision-making process. The Movement works through the following: -
1. Congress
2. Regional Delegates Conference
3. District Delegates Conference
4. Workplace Delegates Conference

The congress is the highest body of the Movement responsible for all policy guidelines and it shall elect the National officers as the National Executive Committee / Council and Congress Patrons. The Congress is composed of National Executive Committee and proportional representation from each region to be selected at Regional conferences where Observers are to be invited by the National Secretariat of the Movement. The Regulations require that Congress shall be convened once every five (5) years to:

- Review the operations of the Movement,

- Approve any decisions from the national executive committee and

- Elects new national executive officers.

The National Executive Committee is responsible for running the affairs of the Movement and is required to meet every four months in the year. The National Executive committee is made up of all the National Officers, all heads of Departments of the Movement at the National Secretariat, all Regional organizers and chairpersons if the regional central committee, two ex officio members of the movement nominated by congress and representation for workplace.

There is a National Secretariat in Accra to support the work of the National Executive Committee. The National Officers report to the National Executive Committee.

National Officers:
President
General Secretary
Deputy General Secretary
National Organizer
Deputy Organizer
Publicity Officers
Finance Project Co-ordinator.

All National Officers shall hold office for a period of five (5) years and may be eligible for re-election for at least two more consecutive terms for the same position. But not for more than three (3) consecutive terms.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, we wish to state the following: -

1. That the last congress of the Movement was held sometime in May 1992.
To date, Dr. Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, former First lady, has held herself out as President of the Movement (in total contravention of the stipulated five year- term) and has not called for a congress as per the regulations of the Movement.

2. The 31st December Women’s Movement is the sole beneficiary of ALL the Assets of Caridem Development Company Limited, established as an investment (commercial) company to generate funds to support the programs and activities of the Movement and creates employment and jobs for the Women.

3. It has come to our attention that the audited accounts are neither up to date nor filed at the Registrar of Companies.

4. That We have cause to believe that huge sums of monies have been dissipated and assets sold from the accounts of 31st DWM by Dr. Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings without following proper internal processes.

5. That by our Regulations, Audited accounts showing expenditures etc. must be submitted to the National Executive Committee and Congress for study and approvals.

We the members of the 31st December Women’s Movement make the following statement:

1. That since for the past twenty years there has not been Congress or National Executive committee meeting, so making all decisions of the Movement not valid.

We disassociate ourselves from the: -

a. The letter written by Ms. Sylvia Ahorlu dated 15th February 2016, REF: DWM/1/1/9766.

b. The publication in the Daily Graphic of 19th June 2017 granted by Dr Mrs Nana Konadu purporting that the Movement has changed its name to Development Women’s Movement and changed its character. This publication is a fabrication and not true. The contents of the said publication are illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. The laws of Ghana states clearly that each citizen has the freedom of association, therefore members of 31st December Women’s Movement cannot automatically become members of the newly created Development Women’s Movement without the express consent of each member. The 31st DWM is a Company Limited by Guarantee therefore any changes necessarily must follow due process as per the company code and the Laws of Ghana.

2. We therefore caution any person or entity who has transacted any business on behalf of Caridem Development Company and 31st DWM with Dr Mrs Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, that they have done so at their own risk.

3. We are therefore demanding, based on the above, for the Audited Accounts of the 31st December Women’s Movement and Caridem Development Company Ltd from 1999 to date, including all bank accounts statements and the Asset Register to date from Dr Mrs Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, holding herself out as president of the 31st December Women’s Movement.

4. We have resolved to call on the Regional membership to work in preparation towards the National congress.

5. We shall give the appropriate notice as per the provisions of our constitution.

Signed: Date: 21st June 2017