Vote on issues come December 7 — NCCE
The National Commission for Civic Education(NCCE) has urged the electorate to vote on issues (come December 7) for national development.
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According to the commission, the best way to achieve national development is for the electorate to scrutinise policies of candidates before casting their votes.
It made known the findings of a research conducted on the needs of citizens in the country, which established the areas of need as quality education, health, employment,agriculture,energy and disability rights.
"I, therefore, entreat the electorate to cast their ballots for candidates who have better policies for education, employment and health come December 7," the Municipal Director of NCCE of Ga West, Mr Robert Dark Anas-Okoe, said.
Parliamentary debate
He made the remarks during a parliamentary debate organised at Amasaman yesterday.
The focus of the debate was to create a platform for aspiring parliamentary candidates (PCs) to interact with their constituents in order for them to solicit commitment from the candidates, to ensure a peaceful and violent- free election.
The European Union (EU) supported the NCCE to undertake the exercise in all the 275 constituencies nationwide.
Candidates
Two PCs, Mr Emmanuel Nii Okai Laryea of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mr Clement Wilkinson of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), were engaged in a three-hour debate on education, health, agriculturez, employment and disability rights of the constituents.
Both candidates tried to convince the electorate as to why they should be given the mandate on December 7.
Education
On education, Mr Laryea, who is also the incumbent MP, said he had been able to construct new schools.
According to him, he facilitated the construction of school buildings for some communities, including a village called Adesekope.
"I have done my best with the assistance from the Ghana Education Service to provide access to education; hence, the need to vote for me on December 7."
But, his contender, Mr Wilkinson, said even though he was not the MP, he had supported more than 100 pupils in their educational needs.
According to him, during the recent Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), he provided mathematical sets for more than 200 pupils.
Mr Wilkinson therefore urged the electorate to vote for him and the NPP so that they would have free education.
Both candidates also spoke on their plans for health, employment, agriculture and disability rights for the constituents should they be voted into power.
Commendation
The audience commended the NCCE for the exercise.
"The exercise will allow us to make informed choices. Moreover, we will be able to demand accountability from our prospective MPs when either of them is voted into power," Mr Dennis Adu-Yeboah, a resident, said.
Both candidates danced to climax the debate.