Local government expert, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi has claimed that the failure of former president Jerry John Rawlings to discuss his wife’s interest in the presidency contributed to her loss.

The former Director of Research for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) explained that they were in the dark about Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings’ intentions hence opposed her in favour of the late John Evans Atta Mills  

He explained that had the case been different, there were chances of a different fate as an agreement would have been reached on her quest.

"In a way, I think that it is because Jerry did not level with us as far as his wife's interest was concerned that was why Teins took the direction we did. If we had discussed it, the matter would have been very clear and the strategy may have been different."

“Rawlings had never discussed with us the interest of his wife in the Presidency. There had always been rumours that Nana Konadu was interested but this is one issue he never discussed with us,” he stated.

He revealed this in an exclusive interview with the host of JoyFM’s Super Morning Show, Kojo Yankson.

In in the runoff to the 2012 general elections, Mrs Agyeman Rawlings resigned from her position as first Vice Chairman of the NDC to contest as flagbearer.

She contested strongly against Atta Mills who served as Vice President under her husband between 1997 and 2001.

However, she won only 3.1% of the votes at a convention of party at Sunyani.

According to him, some analysis of Rawlings declaration at Swedru to support the candidature of his vice, Professor John Evans Atta Mills created the impression that he aimed to short-circuit his wife.  

“The impression has somehow been created that he himself was not very keen on Nana Konadu assuming the leadership position,” Kwamena noted.

Professor Ahwoi served as Minister of Local Government and Rural Development from 1990 to 2001 in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, during former President Jerry John Rawlings' era.

He also briefly served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1997 and was an acting minister in that department during much of the 1990s.

In 2005, he resigned as Director of Research for the NDC.

Prof Ahwoi is yet to launch a book titled, "Working with Rawlings" which details his experience while working with the Former President Jerry John Rawlings.