NCCE takes Parliamentary debate to Amenfi East

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has organised a parliamentary debate for parliamentary aspirants at Wassa Akropong in the Amenfi East Constituency to enable them to make bare their programmes and policies.

The debate organised in collaboration with the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) and Rivers FM station, allowed the aspirants of the two major political parties, Ernest Frimpong of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the incumbent MP Mr Nicholas Amankwah of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to outline their development plans for the constituency.

Though the incumbent MP did not participate in the debate, the issues which were raised and asked by the moderators cut across education, roads, health and employment.

Ernest Frimpong of the NPP outlining his vision for the constituency, said on education he would advocate the establishment of a university in the constituency, a Teacher Training College and an additional Senior high /Technical school, implement an annual awards scheme for teachers and education units as well as ensure an annual distribution of desks to schools.

On health the Aspirant said he would help upgrade the government hospital in the area into an ultra-modern one to improve the health care delivery in the area, sponsor nursing trainees, institute an annual award for nurses and health workers, organise annual free health screening and build a hostel attached to the hospital to accommodate caregivers.

The Aspirant said he would liaise with the Ministry of Roads and Highways to tar most of the roads within the municipality and use the DRIP equipment to improve upon the feeder roads in the constituency.

On employment, the aspirant said he would ensure community mining was well implemented to rope in all miners to curb the activities of illegal miners.

Mr Frimpong said he would encourage mechanized farming in the area to make farming more lucrative to attract the youth into it.

He pledged to ensure peace before, during and after the December polls, and gave the assurance that he would deliver his mandate if given the nod in the polls.

MR Daniel Boateng, the Municipal director of the NCCE, in his welcoming address, said the debate was to give an opportunity for the parliamentary aspirants to outline their visions for the constituency in the next four years and ascertain the concerns and needs of their constituents.

He urged Ghanaians to be politically and religiously tolerant as they geared towards the upcoming polls, adding that it was the responsibility of all to protect the nation’s constitution and democracy to enhance growth and development.

Boateng was unhappy with the absence of the incumbent MP for the debate but applauded the NPP aspirant for participating in the exercise.

He called for peace before, during and after the December polls and urged all aspirants to conduct their campaigns devoid of insults and name calling.

Present at the debate were Nana Asare Bediako, Chief Asunda who represented Tetrete Okuamoah Sakyim II paramount chief of Wassa Amenfi, Nana Baffour Anin II chief of Asikuma, Fredrick Korankye Wass Amenfi East MCE, Police Superintendent Simon Setorglo district police commander and Reverend FiiFi Adams, Local Council of Churches President.

Others were CODEO observers, tailors, hairdressers, members of small-scale miners associations, carpenters and the media.