By Fatima Anafu-Astanga
Zuarungu UE. Nov. 22, GNA – A debate between Political Party activists over projects and their year of implementation and completion by either the ruling party NPP or the NDC in the Bolgatanga East Constituency nearly marred a Parliamentary Candidates Dialogue.
The session, which was part of a platform that allowed the candidates to present the visions of their political parties to the electorates was stalled and took the intervention of the security and some party executives to calm the atmosphere.
The debate was organized by the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) as part of strengthening Ghana’s democracy for accountable leadership under the ongoing Containing and Preventing Violent extremism (PCVE) funded by the European Union.
The political parties were represented by Mr Issac Azure, Bolgatanga East Constituency Chairperson of the NDC, Mr Atiah Edwin Ayinsongya for the Progressive Alliance for Ghana (PAG), and Mr Bismark Akolgo, NPP constituency Secretary, supported by their party executives and members.
Dr Dominic Akuritenga Ayine , the incumbent NDC Member of Parliament and candidate for the NDC, and Mr Silas Amoah of the NPP were not present during the debate.
The representatives taunted the achievements of their parties, and the vision for the constituency.
Ms Sadia Baba Sampana who addressed the party supporters before the debate ,said her outfit following a research it conducted over past elections, identified critical emerging issues such as education, employment, health, economy, roads /infrastructure and agriculture and as a result the NCCE was providing the platform for the electorates to listen to the candidates and find out how their concerns related to the issues will be addressed when given the mandate.
Ms Sampana said the platform also helped to solicit commitments from the candidates to non-violence and issue-based campaigns.
She thanked the party representatives for the collaboration especially the candidates for honoring the invitation and commended the Ghana Police Service in the district for their continuous commitment to promote peace and assured them of the NCCE’ s support to the sustenance of peace before, during and after the 2024 elections.
DSP Charles Simpa, Police Commander at the Bolgatanga East District in an earlier address to the participants reiterated the readiness of the security services to ensure smooth voting exercise and peace in in the Constituency before, during and after the elections.
He however warned that anyone who is caught causing any trouble on the voting day will be dealt with and stated, “those whose intentions is to go to the ‘blue kiosk’ to take alcohol to foment trouble should advise themselves since they will not be tolerated at the polling stations.”
GNA