Effutu candidates outline vision
A debate has been organised for four candidates contesting the parliamentary election in the Effutu Constituency to articulate their vision towards the development of the municipality.
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The event was organised by the National Commission for Civic Education in the municipality, Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and Socioserve, with funding from the European Union.
Mr Eric Don-Arthur of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Rolance Akowbea-Sam of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Ofori Owusu who is contesting on the ticket of the Progressive Peoples’ Party (PPP) and Mr Murtala Muhammed Umar Maiga of the People’s National Convention (PNC).
The candidates addressed questions on a wide range of issues including unemployment, the energy sector and education.
High unemployment rate
Responding to a question on the unemployment situation in the area, Mr Akowbea-Sam said since the area was a fishing community, he would facilitate the introduction of fibre glass canoes to enhance fishing.
According to him, it was important that good policies were instituted to support the fishing industry across the country.
For his part, Nana Ofori Owusu stated that the fishing industry employed most of the people in the municipality, so he would ensure that the fishermen would be privided with the needed support to increase their catch so as to improve their standard of living.
He noted that the industry contributed immensely to the local economy and that the right policies would be put in place to improve the sector.
Mr Don-Arthur indicated that what would open up the area to a lot of development would be the construction of a harbour which would see the provision of both direct and indirect jobs to most of the youth in the municipality.
According to him, it was part of his plan to ensure that such a project became a reality so as to attract a lot of investment into the area.
Mr Murtala Muhammed noted that he would ensure the revival of the Winneba boatyard, as well as the reconstruction of the collapsed Pomadze poultry factory to provide ready jobs for the people.
Energy sector
On the energy sector, the PPP’s candidate reiterated the party’s position to ensure the country’s natural resources were utilised for the benefit of the ordinary Ghanaian.
To this end, he said the PPP government would renegotiate all agreements in the oil and gas sector to benefit the country and not the expatriates.
Mr Don-Arthur mentioned that the area was a good site for wind energy and that efforts would be put in place to ensure that such a project was embarked on for the benefit of the people and the nation at large.
Mr Murtala Muhammed indicated that a PNC government would review all contracts in the energy sector, as well as ensure proper management of the oil revenue towards the development of the country.
The CPP candidate noted that all agreements in the oil and gas sector were detrimental to the nation and stressed that the CPP would not allow the country to be short-changed but would ensure proper efficiency in the sector.
Education
Addressing a question on the falling standard of education in the municipality, the PNC candidate pointed out that he would ensure that children were not sent to the beaches for fishing activities but rather to school to acquire quality education.
Mr Akowbea-Sam said Technical and Vocational Education would be revamped to provide employable skills to Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) graduates to improve their standard of living.
Nana Ofori Owusu of the PPP noted that the party would ensure the realisation of the free compulsory education, as well as institute an education police who would ensure that children went to school always.
For his part, Mr Don-Arthur of the NDC stated that the NDC government in its next term would continue to expand access to education in the area by constructing new schools to augment existing ones.
Such a move, he said, would ensure that more school-age children would have access to particularly basic education.
Support to artisans
With regard to support to artisans, Mr Murtala Mohammed noted that a PNC government led by Dr Edward Mahama would provide flexible loans to the various artisans to enable them start, as well as expand their businesses.
Mr Akowbea-Sam said the CPP would put up workshops to train artisans as a means to provide employable skills to them which would enhance their living conditions.
Nana Ofori Owusu reiterated his party’s position to improve economic activities by creating opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs to do business.
Mr Don-Arthur indicated that the government would make Microfinance And Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) loans more accessible to enable more people to access it to set up their businesses.
NCCE Director
The Effutu Municipal Director of the NCCE, Mr Francis Romanus Arloo, in an earlier discussion, pointed out that the debate was a platform for the candidates to speak on issues of concern to the people of Effutu and how they would be addressed.
He said by so doing, the electorate would be well informed to enable them to choose the right candidate in the upcoming election.
