Correspondence from Frank Aboagye, Bono East Region:

With less than 60 days to the 2024 general election, the Atebubu-Amantin Constituency, one of the critical constituencies in the Bono East Region, is experiencing intense political activities in the area from political parties in a bid to tilt political power in their favour.

With political actors fully aware that various socio-economic issues will be the deciding factor shaping voter decisions in the constituency, the two major political parties; the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to secure voter endorsement.

As the campaign season intensifies, promises are in full swing, and the stakes have never been higher in this agriculturally driven community, where livelihoods and futures are on the line, compelling voters to remain focused on issues that directly impact their daily lives and survival.

Ultimately, the voter decisions of the 67,636 voter population in the constituency would not be driven by just party loyalty, but voters are expected to weigh in on critical issues, proven track records backed by tangible results, and choose the party that is best positioned to address the challenges facing them.

As the general election draws near, anticipation is building among voters, with many eager to make their voices heard at the polls and have been candidly sharing their perspectives with GhanaWeb on economic challenges, access to education, agricultural development and job creation, offering a glimpse into pressing matters that will likely sway the outcome of the election in December.

For Eric Koranteng, education is a foundational driver of progress and so his vote will be guided by policies surrounding inclusive education, particularly those that ensure access and opportunities for tertiary education for the physically challenged because education is a fundamental right that should be available to everyone, regardless of their physical challenges to help break down barriers and create a more equitable society.

“Going into the December elections, my choice will be any government that will tell Ghanaians that when I come especially in education this is what I am going to do in education my focus is on education. The government is saying that when he comes to power that is the current government they will embark on this project that the disability, those who are disabled will have access to free tertiary education he will pay for their fees, accommodations, and anything. I think this is also laudable and if government is able to do this alone my vote will go to the NPP government”, he stated.

Owusu Solomon, on the other hand, will strongly base his decision in the upcoming election on the policies put forward by each candidate, especially those that directly address the concerns and future well-being of the people.

He disclosed that the long-term development of the country hinges on candidates who propose concrete and actionable plans such as digitalisation as a 4th industrial revolution by the NPP which makes them a viable choice.

“My voter choice in December will be determined by the policies of the two major political parties, and I think I will go for the NPP over the NDC because the NPP professes better policies and has a better track record than the NDC”.

Additionally, Atindogo Tahiru emphasised that issues on youth employment, apprenticeship programmes for women, policies on a vibrant, round-the-clock economic environment, and support for farmers to create a more vibrant agricultural sector will be key in influencing his voting pattern and the NDC “People’s Manifesto” clearly offers hope in that regard.

“I am looking at the manifestos of both leading political parties and looking at the manifesto that is promising the youth job opportunities and what I have seen from the NDC as a political party the 24-hour economy, the job creation, the farmer service centre. You know Atebubu-Amantin we are in a farming community so indeed if they will do what is in their manifesto it will mean that Atebubu-Amantin is going to get farming centre which is going to help farmers with farming tools, chemicals, the technical know-how for them to improve on their agriculture activities…so I think I will go for the NDC manifesto going into the 2024 election”.