Kumasi, Oct. 4, GNA - Mr Atik Mohammed, Policy Advisor of the People’s National Convention (PNC) has asked communicators and social commentators of the party to strive to be abreast of the nation’s current socio-economic trends.

This, he said, would aid dispassionate discussion of issues on the airwaves.

“As a political party that seeks to win power and form the next government, it is our responsibility to have a fair idea about how to conduct debates on the economy since that form the basis or means to winning the sympathy of the people and have them identify with... alternatives and objectives.”

Mr Mohammed was addressing a capacity building workshop for selected communicators and social commentators of the party drawn from the Northern, Ashanti, Upper East and Upper West Regions in Kumasi.

The goal was to equip them with relevant information and tools to convince people on the party’s position on political-economic issues.

Mr Mohammed said discussions and debates about economic issues are indispensable as far as the “lives and operations” of political parties are concerned.

Those who speak for the party therefore need to have thorough understanding of what is being discussed, assemble the requisite information, understand the information, be more assertive and confident, relate to the experiences of others and discuss within the contest of growth and poverty reductions.

Mr Mohammed said they need to build strong and viable communication teams in the regions as they prepare to battle for political power in the 2012 elections.

Meanwhile, Ashanti Regional branch of the PNC has opened nominations for regional executive committee positions.

A statement signed by Mr Kabah Abrahams, Regional Secretary, put the filing fees for regional chairman position at GH¢100.00 and the other positions, GH¢50.00.

It said women aspirants would however not pay anything but must have paid their dues fully for the last two years.

Vetting of the contestants would be conducted on October 15- October 16 to be followed by the regional congress.