Wa West District: NCCE Organizes Parliamentary Debate for Aspirants

As part of engagement to foster political tolerance and peaceful coexistence, the National Commission for Civic Education organized a healthy parliamentary candidate debate in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region.

The debate sessions provided the parliamentary candidates the opportunity to engage with electorates on topical issues. The Wa West District Directorate of the National Commission of Civic Education (NCCE) parliamentary debate focused on the following thematic areas; health, education, agriculture, women and marginalized groups, youth employment, peace and security.

In opening the session, the Wa West District Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Madam Esther Suglo, explained the importance of the parliamentary debate to the participants present. Madam Esther Suglo indicated that the parliamentary debate provides the avenue for the electorate to evaluate the candidate’s vision and commitment to serving our interests as constituents. Also, it could guide one after coming face-to-face with the aspirant to make an informed decision.

In attendance included the Hon. Saatire James Kpir-Faatey, the Parliamentary Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Hon. Boyong Mwinia Francis of the Peoples National Convention (PNC). In a remarkable turn of events, both parliamentary candidates were reassuring of youth development, advancing policies and programmes and empowering women and the marginalized.

In the opening questions, participants sought to find out how parliamentary aspirants will help improve access to quality healthcare, considering the vast nature of the Constituency with so many underdeveloped communities struggling for quality healthcare.

Mr. James underscored the growing significance of the government’s quest to expand quality healthcare, especially after the experiences and lessons from the COVID-19 outbreak that exposed vulnerability and weakness in our health sector. He singles out the government Agenda 111 as a positive initiative. He noted that his government will continue to prioritize healthcare, and so as an elected Member of Parliament (MP), he will lobby to ensure that health infrastructure and quality human resource development given health professionals will be a priority.

Mr. Francis in his plan explained that the role of the member of parliament is lobbying and wooing development partners and investing and utilizing government statutory allocations, giving the MPs a share of the common fund. He promises to be the people’s MPs and will prioritize healthcare delivery service to ensure that the constituency will significantly develop.

Speaking on agriculture, potential voters and participants sought to find out how each parliamentary candidate would contribute to enhancing farmer access to inputs, tractor service, and credit schemes. Mr. James acknowledges that there will be continuity in government pro-poor agriculture initiatives such as planting for food and jobs and rearing for food and jobs. He assured the electorate of his commitment to empowering farmers and increasing agriculture productivity.

Mr. Francis explained that agricultural development is key to nation-building and a resilient economy. He explained that as a farmer and an entrepreneur, he understands the plights of farmers and will be in the best position to find lasting solutions to the suffering of farmers.

On youth employment, participants bemoaned the lack of jobs and worrying development. They sought to find out plans the parliamentary aspirants have in place to empower the youth to secure jobs. The aspirants noted that attaining quality education and skills acquisition is key to secured job opportunities and pledged their commitment to utilizing resource allocations for youth empowerment and development. They further noted their outfit will influence investors to give priority to the Wa West Constituency.

Mr. James indicated, “Empowering and creating an enabling environment is key to securing jobs”. Also, Mr. Frances further stated, “He will be an MP to position young people to secure job opportunities through training, skill development, and support to attaining quality education”.
The debate session also captured questions on women’s empowerment and marginalized groups, peace, and security.

There were participants from diverse political backgrounds, including supporters and sympathizers of the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress, People National Convention, Liberal Peoples Party, and Convention Peoples Party. Also in attendance included officials from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Traditional Authorities, Queen Mothers, Youth Groups, and Market Women.

The rest includes representatives of the Wa West District Chief Executive, The Upper West Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, The Clergy, Assembly Members, and Party functionaries, including some political party executives.

Source: upperwestmedia