By Yussif Ibrahim
Mampong (Ash), Dec. 03, GNA – The Mampong Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has held its 2024 parliamentary candidates’ dialogue despite the absence of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidates.
The two, who had given assurances of their readiness to participate in the exercise, failed to show up as promised.
Determined to ensure the programme did not hit a snag, the NCCE went ahead with the programme as scheduled with Mr. Peter Abum Sarkodie, an independent candidate, who honoured the invitation.
Mr. Sarkodie, a former Member of Parliament (MP) on the ticket of the NPP is seeking to return to parliament as an independent candidate.
With the absence of the other two candidates, the NCCE offered him the platform to engage the electorate to share his vision to transform the constituency when given the nod.
The engagement was premised on matters of concern to voters including education, health, infrastructure, agriculture, economy, and employment which emerged as key issues voters want addressed from research conducted by the NCCE.
Mr. Sarkodie seized the opportunity to convince the electorate to support his bid to represent them in parliament to champion their development aspirations.
He recounted his previous achievements as MP based on which he justified the need for the people of Mampong constituency to give him their mandate one more time.
He spoke about the numerous interventions he spearheaded in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation, roads, agriculture and pledged his commitment to even do better.
As an independent candidate, he believes he is in a better position to prioritise the interest of the constituents than his two contenders who are likely to push the interest of their parties ahead of the people.
Mr. Samuel Kwasi Otchere, the Municipal Director of NCCE, said the dialogue provided a unique opportunity for the electorate to interact and ask candidates pertinent questions to help them make informed decisions on December 7.
He said the goal was to enhance participatory democracy by presenting prospective leaders to the electorate for scrutiny.
Rev. Kwadwo Amoako Wiredu, Chairperson of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), who chaired the occasion, charged the media to avoid sensationalism and misinformation to maintain the peace of the country.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ishmael Adjei cautioned that the Police would be ruthless in dealing with troublemakers before, during and after the election.
GNA