Politics of Tuesday, 25 November 2008

Source: GNA

CDD holds debates for Nkawkaw parliamentary candidates

Nkawkaw (E/R), Nov. 25, GNA - The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD- Ghana), has organised a parliamentary debate for candidates contesting the Nkawkaw Constituency seat.

The candidates are Mr Kwabena Nkansah Boamah of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Stephen Ansong Akuamoah, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Mr Ampomah Denis, the Convention People's Party (CPP) and Mr Seth Adjei-Baah, an independent candidate. The incumbent MP, Kwabena Adusa Okerchiri of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the People's National Convention (PNC) candidate, failed to turn-up for the debate.

Mr Kwame Gyasi, a lecturer at the School of Business, University of Ghana, Legon, one of the moderators quizzed the candidates on issues such as how conflicts could be resolved between District Chief Executives and MPs.

Mr Adjei-Baah, the independent candidate, said if given the nod to serve in parliament, he would not interfere in the work of the DCEs because the two roles were clearly defined. He promised to establish cottage industries in the constituency to create jobs for the youth when voted into parliament. The CPP candidate, however, said co-operation between the two (MP and DCE) was needed in order to solve the numerous problems facing the districts. He indicated that as MP, he must be concerned with the development of the districts and the entire constituency. He also promised a welfare fund in the constituency, which would grant financial assistance to the people in order to set up and or expand their business.

The DFP candidate said he would assist farmers to improve upon their farming methods and increase production to generate adequate income. Mrs Grace Preko from the Ghana Federation of the Disabled, who co-moderated the debate, asked the candidates how they would solve the problems facing the Physically Challenged, they all concurred that they would establish training programmes for them to gain employment. Again the candidates noted that they would assist the physically challenged to access their mandated two per cent share of the Common Fund. The Programme Officer of CDD-Ghana, Mr Harrison Belley, thanked the candidates and the audience for their co-operation.