The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Atiwa East District has facilitated the establishment of a Social Contract between parliamentary candidates contesting in the Atiwa East constituency and the electorate.
This initiative was made possible through the organization of a Parliamentary Candidates Dialogue, held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at the Church of Pentecost auditorium in the Atiwa East District.
Purpose of the Dialogue
Welcoming participants, the District Director for the NCCE, Mr. Ametepe Savior, emphasized the program’s importance in fostering issue-based discussions among parliamentary candidates. He explained that the platform aimed to compel candidates to address key developmental concerns, including education, employment, health, infrastructure, the economy, and agriculture.
“The dialogue seeks to reduce personality attacks among candidates, enabling voters to make informed choices in the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections,” he noted.
Call for Peace and Unity
Speaking on behalf of the traditional leaders, the Anyinam Hene shared his experience visiting war-torn countries, highlighting the devastating consequences of political conflict. He urged politicians to prioritize maintaining the peace and stability that Ghana currently enjoys.
Participation and Engagement
Among the invited candidates, only Nana Adjei Kyerema, an independent parliamentary aspirant, was able to attend. Candidates from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Force, Ghana Union Movement (GUM), and others were absent.
The event was attended by key stakeholders, including the Eastern Regional Director of NCCE, Madam Ophilia Ankrah, her deputy, Mr. Augustin Bosrotsi, traditional leaders from Akyem Anyinam, clergy, imams, market queens, disabled associations, youth groups, and civil society organizations.
During the dialogue, Nana Adjei Kyerema presented his policies and programs, addressing issues of education, employment, health, and infrastructure. Vulnerable groups, such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities, were given the opportunity to ask questions about their welfare and development. Nana Kyerema also used the platform to advocate for peace, urging his supporters to maintain decorum before, during, and after the elections.
Empowering the Electorate
The program provided voters with a chance to understand the policies and programs of the candidates. This is expected to guide their decisions at the polls. By focusing on issues, the dialogue aimed to reduce personal attacks among candidates and promote informed electoral choices.
NCCE’s Role in Deepening Democracy
The NCCE, established under the Constitution of Ghana and further empowered by Act 452, aims to enhance civic awareness and responsibilities among citizens. As part of this mandate, the Commission instituted the Parliamentary Candidates’ Debates (PCDs) to create platforms for interaction between candidates and constituents.
The debates, held in all 276 constituencies nationwide, are informed by the NCCE’s Matters of Concern (MoC) research findings. This research identifies the priority issues for voters, which for 2024 include education, employment, health, roads and infrastructure, the economy, and agriculture.
Objectives of the Debate
The Parliamentary Candidates’ Dialogue was designed to achieve the following objectives:
- Provide a platform for candidates to articulate their vision and policy priorities.
- Secure commitments from candidates to uphold non-violence and issue-based campaigns.
- Foster tolerance and peace before, during, and after elections.
- Help voters make informed decisions based on electoral promises.
- Discourage the use of intemperate language, intimidation, or violence during campaigns.
- Advocate against false or defamatory allegations, destruction of campaign materials, and other acts that could disrupt the peace.
The dialogue in Atiwa East underscores the NCCE’s commitment to promoting democracy, peaceful elections, and accountability in governance. By empowering voters and candidates to engage on substantive issues, the initiative ensures a more informed and issue-driven electoral process, helping to safeguard Ghana’s democratic stability.