By Edward Williams
Hohoe (V/R), Nov. 29, GNA – Madam Esther Amevor, National Democratic Party (NDP) and Mr Stephen Dzidefo Adzraku, People’s National Convention (PNC) Parliamentary Candidates for the Hohoe Constituency, have discussed key sectors of the economy to improve lives if given the nod as next Member of Parliament.
They touched on issues relating to education, agriculture, health, unemployment, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The PCs of the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress were not present.
Mr Ernest Amedior, Hohoe Municipal Director, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) during the Commission’s Parliamentary Candidates Dialogue held in Hohoe said the NCCE instituted the Parliamentary Candidates’ Debates (PCDs) as platforms for interaction at the constituency level.
“The debates are avenues for candidates to articulate their vision and policies and engage with constituents on issues of national concern.”
He said the objectives of the debates included providing a platform for parliamentary candidates to share their vision and that of their political parties for the constituency.
Mr Amedior said it would also help to solicit commitments from the Candidates to non-violence and issue-based campaigns.
He said it would further ensure tolerance and peace before, during and after the elections.
Madam Amevor said she would strengthen the foundation of education at the kindergarten level by providing adequate teaching and learning materials.
She said she would ensure that practical aspects of education were introduced to equip students with employable skills before they left school.
Madam Amevor said she would establish a tomato processing factory to prevent post-harvest loss as well as ensure that the NDP government supported private sector in the Constituency to increase employment of the youth.
She said she would help to improve access to health with the provision of health facilities in communities that had none.
Madam Amevor said she would encourage rice, potato, and cassava farming on large scales for sale while lobbying for agriculture support from NGOs.
She said she would ensure inclusion of PWDs in the job market as well as provide handicraft avenues for those who were immobile.
Mr Adzraku said he would lead a campaign against the discrimination against PWDs while ensuring that access to public spaces would be disability friendly.
He said he would encourage backyard farming for constituents while supplying agricultural inputs for farmers and mobilise the youth appreciate the importance of farming.
Mr Adzraku said he would improve access to quality healthcare after which he would ensure that there was improvement in its quality.
He said he would liaise with traditional authorities to help in providing lands that would be used for health facilities which would provide employment avenues.
Mr Adzraku said there was the need for government to create an enabling environment to support the private sector to be able to access loans to expand and employ.
He said he would give the youth employable skills while liaising with banks to provide low-interest loans to traders and artisans.
Mr Adzraku said he would use part of the Common Fund for scholarships for students and lobby for infrastructure and logistics from non-profit organisations to support education in the Constituency.
He said he would organise refresher programmes and courses for teachers once a term and also give learners monthly assessments through tests and award the best students.
The event was attended by traditional and religious leaders, students, youth, artisans, PWDs and the public.
GNA
