By Benjamin A. Commey
Accra, Nov 13, GNA – Three Parliamentary aspirants contesting the Odododiodioo seat in the Greater Accra Region, have cautioned the youth against indulging in acts that will undermine the peace of the area in the upcoming December 7 polls.
The three aspirants, Mr Alfred Kotey Ashie of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Mr Alfred Anettey Abbey of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and Mr Richard Dzatei Abbey of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), all stressed the need for peaceful polls in the area come December 7, 2024.
At least, two people died in the Constituency during the 2020 elections due to electoral violence.
Speaking at a parliamentary candidates’ dialogue in the constituency on Tuesday, the three candidates said such incidents must not reoccur, urging calm and restrain among their supporters during the period to ensure peaceful and violent-free exercise.
“Nobody should pick a stone, a cutlass or a gun because of me. Go to the polling stations with an open heart and cast your ballot…..We are one people in Odododiodioo, we are brothers, sisters and friends and so, let’s live in a brotherly manner and in oneness.
“I want to serve a united Odododiodioo and not a divided constituency because we won’t get the needed development if we are not able to live together as one people.” Mr Ashie, the NDC PC said.
The dialogue, organised by the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), was to provide the aspirants a platform to outline their policies and programmes for the constituency, offer the electorate the opportunity to interact face-to-face with the candidates and seek clarification on such policies.
It formed part of efforts to deepen and sustain the country’s democratic governance.
Outlining his policies and that of his political party for the constituent, Mr Ashie said he would continue the “good work” from where his predecessor, Nii Lante Vanderpuye left off.
He said the NDC MP for the area had commenced several projects, including a maternity ward at James Town to improve healthcare delivery within the area.
Mr Ashie said he would continue these projects to ensure that universal health coverage was achieved for the people if elected come
“When it comes to health, the NDC has a track record in providing better healthcare for the people of Odododiodioo,” he said.
On employment, Mr Ashie promised to enroll many of the youth under the NDC’s master apprenticeship programme to equip them with employable skills.
Additionally, he promised to use the portion of his MP’s common fund to set the graduates up and provide them with the required working materials and capital to enable them to make a living.
Mr Anettey Abbey, PPP PC, also noted that employment was top of his list for the constituency if elected come December 7.
He promised to fight for a quota system of employment for the indigenes in companies located in the area to enable them to earn a decent income.
“We will collaborate with the assembly to ensure that 50 per cent of labourers hired for government projects in the constituency are reserved for the local people,” he said.
On education, Mr Anettey Abbey said he would focus on skills training to equip the youth with employable skills required by the job market.
Mr Dzatei Abbey, CPP PC also promised to collaborate with local companies to improve the infrastructure of the two local major senior high schools; the Holy Trinity Cathedral SHS and the Sacred Heart SHS, to enhance teaching and learning.
Additionally, he said, he would promote inclusivity by ensuring that provisions were made for the vulnerable in society such as Persons Living with Disabilities had access to education.
GNA