By Samuel Akumatey
Ho, Aug. 22, GNA – Ho, GNA – Young people in Ho Saturday got the chance to converse with individuals seeking to represent the area in the nation’s Parliament.
Youth Speak Forum, an open platform by DA Humanitarian Foundation brought the parliamentary aspirants to the Mawuli Senior High School to interact with the youth.
The political office aspirants presented plans and policies for the Municipality, which were subjected to scrutiny.
The event was organised in collaboration with the National Youth Authority, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).
Youth-focused organisations including Node 8 and Love Aid Foundation supported the event, which had more than 200 youths in attendance.
Togbe Kludjehe IV, who chaired the programme, said it would offer the youth the opportunity to engage with the aspirants on their plans and policies.
The organisers and partners planned to consolidate the various plans and policies into a workable guide for the Constituency.
“It’s a platform for the constituents of Ho Central to dialogue with their various parliamentary candidate,” he said.
“After this engagement we want to have a blueprint that we would name a compact; a Ho Central Constituency Compact. Whatever they are telling us today has been captured, and afterwards we are going to use it as a policy guide or code of conduct for the development of the constituency.”
“Whoever wins the position will use it as a blueprint to work,” adding that the platform would be sustained to deepen youth inclusive governance.
The maiden edition featured Mr. Edem Kpotosu, the NDC parliamentary candidate, and Mr. Mawulorm Kwame Klutse, an independent parliamentary candidate.
The NDC candidate outlined a six-pronged agenda that covers education, health, agriculture, sports, employment and creative arts.
He said it would promote agriculture and entrepreneurship, especially among the youth and help provide investors to aid the development of the Constituency.
“I came to work for all of you and I will sacrifice myself for the cause,” he said.
Mr. Klutse, the independent candidate, spelt out three things that would define his reign: leadership, representation, and development.
He said he would develop a human resource training initiative, establish a youth development fund, and promote a new outlook leadership.
The independent candidate promised “active” engagement with constituents, to promote Community-led development planning, and inclusive decision making while using local resources and talents in advancing the constituency’s growth.
Mr Michael Tormetsi, Deputy Chief Investigator, represented the Regional Director of CHRAJ and emphasised the importance of youth involvement in governance and upholding the tenets of democracy and good governance.
Mama Bobi, a female traditional leader and a judge, founded the DA Foundation.
The Foundation has a broadened focus that covers women empowerment as well as humanitarian initiatives in health and education.
GNA