Ashaiman parliamentary candidates partake in NCCE dialogue

Four Parliamentary candidates contesting the December 7 general elections to represent the Ashaiman Constituency have participated in the National Commission for Civic Education’s (NCCE) Parliamentary Candidates’ Dialogue to sell their visions to the electorates.

The candidates are Mr. Justice King Amevor Essiel, New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Ernest Henry Norgbey, the incumbent and candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Emmanuel Felix Mantey, Progressive People’s Party (PPP), and Mr. Emmanuel Kofi-Yesu Heymann, Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).

The candidates took turns to talk about themselves and what they have to offer the constituency, as well as answered questions on the six areas of concern voters raised in an NCCE research, in addition to issues from identifiable groups in the community.

Mr. Essiel, the NPP candidate, asked the electorates to vote for him, as according to him, “Ashaiman deserves better. Its about time to give Ashiaman a new name.”

He said he intended to give the constituency a good name by deepening access to education through the provision of scholarships to students, teachers, and security personnel.

He added that he would also ensure that the slum areas of Ashaiman would see some beautification to give the area a new outlook, adding that he would facilitate the trade by upgrading the road networks.

Mr. Norgbey, the NDC candidate, said he has brought improvement in the education sector of the area, as through his efforts, Ashaiman Senior High School now has boarding status.

He stated that when retained, he would continue with his work and ensure that education infrastructure for schools and staff were beefed up, revealing that to ensure supervision, he constructed a three-bedroom bungalow for the education director to reside in the area.

He said even though it was the duty of the Member of Parliament to bring the issues of the people to the fore, it was the duty of the municipal assembly and the central government to provide a good road network in the area as all taxes are paid to them.

Mr. Mantey of the PPP, on his part, said he wanted to sign a social contract with the people through his leadership, which would ensure that he would be their ears and mouthpiece both in Parliament and elsewhere.

He added that Ashaiman lacked development, a situation he would work on to abolish the shift education system and see to the upgrading of the Ashaiaman polyclinic to ease pressure on the Tema General Hospital.

He further disclosed that to provide jobs for the youth, he would liaise with organisations to bring jobs into the area, including a mobile phone assembly plant.

Mr. Heymann, the LPG candidate, on his part, promised to build a database for education and organise free extra classes for all public schools in the constituency.

He said he would empower women in the area by providing them with loans without any interest to expand their businesses.

According to him, if voted as the MP, he would also provide health insurance for all health personnel and their families in the area to ensure that they have the peace of mind to take care of patients.

Mr. Mawuli Agbenu, the Greater Accra Regional Director of the NCCE, said the dialogue was based on the 2024 theme for the Commission, “Together We Can Build Ghana, So Get Involved.”

Mr. Agbenu expressed worry at the new trend of constituents and electorates demanding money and other things from candidates, reminding them that voting was a sacred exercise that must not be sold.

GNA