With just under four (4) months to the general elections, e.TV Ghana has opened a platform for all political parties to lay bare what is contained in their manifestos to the people of Ghana. The maiden edition of this unique platform, dubbed the Manifesto Dialogues, was held at Madina over the weekend with representatives of the various political parties explaining to the people an overview of what they will do about the economy when given power.

Manifesto Dialogues is an interactive issue-based campaign meant to educate the electorate on critical sectors of the economy as found in the manifestos of the various political parties in order to make an informed choice in the 2016 elections.

Espousing the NPPs position on the state of economy at the dialogues, Hon. Kwaku Kwarteng, MP for Obuasi West, said, “the financial situation of the economy is not stable, hence the increasing unemployment situation among the youth in the country. The NDC government must take drastic measures to help solve the ongoing crises in the country.”

He added that a Nana Akuffo Addo led government will with immediate effect create lots of job opportunities for the teeming youth in the country.

On the PPP’s position concerning the economy, Dr Bawa Mahama, explained that the fall in economic growth is as a result of high taxation, rising inflation, high cost of production and the rising interest rate from the banking sector amongst others.

According to him, another issue of concern is the high capital expenditure on infrastructural projects which is having a negative impact on the economy. He further stated that if his party is voted into power, their major focus will be more on job creation.

Kofi Hinaku, the CPPs representative at the dialogues, noted the fall in economic growth is as a result of the neo-colonial nature of the economy and the continuous dependence of Ghanaians on colonial masters and not the high interest rates as many economic experts keep explaining. He emphasised that until Ghanaians take control of our natural resources and invest in it, the pending crises will continue.

This first edition of the dialogues was massively patronized by supporters of NPP, NDC, CPP, PPP and the general public as well as other civil society organizations.

Cape Coast will witness the second dialogue series which will focus on education.

The Dialogues is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy Fund (Ned Fund), YFM and Happy FM.