Parliamentary candidates snub debate

Walewale (N/R), Dec. 6, GNA - Parliamentary candidates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) in the Walewale constituency were absent at a parliamentary debate organized for them on Thursday. The Convention People's Party (CPP) and People's National Convention (PNC) attended the debate organized by Rural Research and Information Centre (RURIC) in collaboration with the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and sponsored by Ibis-Ghana. The District Director of NCCE, Mr. Issahaku Bandim, said the debate was to afford candidates the opportunity to market their ideas to their constituents.

The debate, which was scheduled to start at 0830 hours, was delayed up to 1140 hours because the two candidates who honoured were not on time. They were Abdalla Abubakar of the PNC and Azaratu Iddrisu Sampa of the CPP.

They responded to questions bordering on district assembly sub-structures, women's representation at the area, zonal and town council under the district assembly sub-structure concept. Other issues were on effective accountability and transparency in facilitating public participation using public relations and complaints sub-committee, and conflicts between District Chief Executives and Members of Parliament, especially when the two belong to different political parties. The candidates appealed to their supporters not to cause mayhem before, during and after the election.