By Justina Paaga
Axim (WR), Nov 28, GNA – The Nzema East Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has organised a debate for Parliamentary candidates in the Evalue Ajomoro Gwira Constituency to make known their plans and policies for the people.
The forum provided a platform for the three candidates to speak on development issues of concern in the constituency and how to resolve them when elected as members of parliament.
However, Mr Kofi NoKoe, the incumbent Member of Parliament of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Mrs Catherine Abelema Afeku New Pariotic (NPP) Parliamentary candidate, did not show up for the programme.
Prophet Elisha Joshua Kabenla who is contesting on the ticket of the New Force Party and who participated, said when given the nod he would establish a nursing training school and a bank to support the youth in entrepreneurship.
He said he would also improve upon the poor road network in the Axim area as well as the Brawire/Akyernim communities.
Prophet Kabenla was optimistic that he and his Presidential candidate, Nana Kwame Bediako, would win the December polls and appealed to the electorate to massively vote for them.
Mr Bernard Azonawane, District Director of NCCE said the programme was to offer the citizenry the chance to hear and weigh the visions and programmes of the various candidates to enable them to make informed choices on the day of the polls.
He said the debate formed part of the NCCE’s mandate to promote democratic governance in the country.
It was also to enable the people to scrutinize the policies of the candidates so they could vote based on that.
Mr Azonawane expressed concern about the failure of the other two candidates to participate in the programme and urged political parties and self-seeking politicians to avoid the use of money to entice the electorate to vote for them.
He also urged individuals, politicians and the media to avoid misinformation, which he noted might lead to tension and chaos before, during and after the polls.
The district director noted that the Parliamentary Debate was not an avenue or opportunity for politicians to insult each other, rather an avenue for them to use decent language to interact with the public.
He pleaded with politicians to avoid the use of provocative and abusive language during their campaigns or radio talk shows.
“Political parties and civil society engagement are part of the basic pillars that lead to a functional democracy, which needs to be nurtured and maintained.”
For his part, Mr Lan Kwame Tugbenu Deputy Regional Director NCCE, urged the electorate to turnout in their numbers to cast their ballots on December 7.
He, however, advised the public to desist from over jubilation when their candidates emerged as winners of the polls.
He said, “together we can build Ghana into a prosperous and peaceful nation, let us get involved and make a difference in our various communities.”
GNA