General News of 2012-10-24

33% Ghanaians to vote based on employment

A survey conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has revealed that 33 percent of Ghanaians say employment creation is the third most important issue they will consider before they vote.

At a ceremony to outline the findings to the media, Mrs. Gertrude Zakaria-Ali Director of Research at the NCCE said the research conducted in March this year, was to ascertain the issues of importance to voters in the run up to the December polls.

Representatives of political parties at the event highlighted ways by which they intend to reduce unemployment when voted.

The survey interviewed 7,497 people of voting age across country on 14 issues.

About 1,077 of the respondents were of the view that the government must create jobs for the youth. They also want that Members of Parliament to advocate for foreign investments into their areas as an avenue of creating more jobs.

The NCCE emphasized that even though the people rated employment as the third most important issue, politicians should not relegate the concern of the 33% to the background.

Joy News’ Beatrice Adu reports that CPP’s Ekwow Duncan who was at the briefing said the party considers industrialization as key to development.

He also mentioned, when voted into power, the Convention People’s Party would increase the production of corn to replace imported wheat.

On the part of the NPP, its representative Akosua Frema-Opare MP for Ayawaso West Wugoon Constituency said the party would ensure that proper education is given to people to prepare them for the job market.

There was no representative from the ruling party, National Democratic Congress.