Skirt & Blouse Hits Denkyira East

ONE MAJOR feature that has become rampant and common in this year's elections- the Skirt and blouse train- has been manifested at the Upper Denkyira East constituency in the central Region.

The signals from the constituency at the disposal of the Chronicle indicate that Mr. Carl Ebo Morgan, an Independent parliamentary candidate contesting the constituency, has made a lot of inroads into the area and won the hearts of his people as they have made up their mind to vote skirt and blouse.

Chronicle gathered that the emergence of Morgan as an Independent candidate represents hope that he is the "saviour" of the constituency, particularly the cocoa growing communities in the Upper Denkyira East.

What seems to have tilted the votes towards Morgan and brightened his chances is the rumpus that characterized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries.

NPP insiders at the constituency told the paper that their (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Nana Amoako, after filling his nominations, flew back to his base abroad and was nowhere to be found until he returned a few days ago.

The Chronicle gathered that another factor that was working perfectly to Morgan's advantage was the decision of majority of the voters not to cast their vote for the opposition NDC party.

"In fact, we are going to vote for the Independent candidate in the parliamentary elections and vote JAK for presidency," a constituent of Upper Denkyira East told the paper.

Morgan, before his decision to contest the seat, was an executive secretary for Denkyira Youth for Change.

Through the association, Morgan has been able to endear himself to his people with his frankness and passionate position on the issues affecting the development of Denkyira.

Morgan told The Chronicle during an interview at the weekend that his decision to contest the seat as an Independent was based on four major issues affecting his people.

He named the four problem areas as Education, Employment, Health Delivery, Sports and Leisure.

"Since education is the bedrock of development, I would devote much of my attention and resources to this area," he told The Chronicle as he displayed his manifesto.

Explaining how he would fund education in the constituency, Morgan said he was going to use his share of the MP's common funds beside grants through NGOs when voted into the august house.

"This will call for the total mobilization of the people through the spirit of voluntarism in conjunction with the traditional Authorities. Efforts will be made to harmonize all existing scholarships into a viable education fund to be established in collaboration with the Traditional Authorities," Morgan said.

On Employment and Economic Development, he said the district capital, Dunkwa would be turned from 'dead town' to an economically booming town. "The past glory will be revived through empowerment of the people. The government's "Step Program" will be brought down to Dunkwa to train the youth in various skills to make them self-employed and will be supported by national youth fund," he said.

He disclosed that community programs that could generate employment such as Teak and Palm plantations and Agro Industry would be pursued in collaboration with the district assembly and the traditional authorities in line with the President's Special Initiative (PSI).

According to Morgan, efforts would be made to revive the timber industries (Saw Mills) while a community Radio station would be established to boost the morale of the people.

Speaking about health delivery, Morgan, a BA holder in Political Science from the University of Ghana, Legon said since health was paramount in humans' life, its issues would be tackled with all the seriousness it deserved.

He assured every effort would be made to maintain and sustain the district hospital through improved infrastructure and equipment.

"Assistance will be sought from Denkyira Development Associations worldwide for what ever would be realized to be used for the building of a befitting nurses' quarters for the hospital," he promised.

Morgan stated that if voted into the parliament, he would be able to solicit funds for the completion of the Dunkwa stadium to befit its status, for talents to be groomed from the area.