The Ablekuma West Municipal office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) organized a parliamentary dialogue on Friday, 29th November 2024, to provide candidates in the Ablekuma West Constituency of the Greater Accra Region an opportunity to share their plans and policies with constituents.
The event also allowed electorates to voice concerns, make suggestions, and ask questions on issues affecting them.
This dialogue, held in collaboration with the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), aimed to foster a platform for the constituency’s two parliamentary candidates, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Rev. Kweku Addo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to engage constituents.
Despite both candidates being invited, only Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful attended the program.
In her opening remarks, the Ablekuma West Municipal NCCE Director, Ms. Georgina Ohemeng, emphasized the importance of the dialogue, noting that it was designed to help candidates articulate their vision for the constituency and address the concerns of constituents.
She encouraged attendees to be tolerant of divergent views, placing peace and development above all in their discussions.
Members of the IPDC also contributed by promoting political tolerance, warning against the spread of fake news, and urging vigilance to ensure free and fair elections.
Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, a three-term Member of Parliament and NPP parliamentary candidate, expressed gratitude to the NCCE for organizing the dialogue and to the people of Ablekuma West for their unwavering confidence in her leadership.
She recounted her achievements over the past 12 years, highlighting infrastructure projects, social interventions, improvements in security, job creation, and sanitation initiatives.
Addressing the stalled sea defense project affecting Glefe, Shiabu, and neighboring communities, Hon. Owusu-Ekuful explained that delays were caused by fisherfolk’s demands to incorporate a landing beach into the project.
This necessitated a revision of the contract plans, which was beyond her office’s control. She assured constituents that the hurdles had been resolved, and work would soon resume.
Participants raised concerns about sanitation, employment opportunities, and uncompleted projects in the constituency. The MP assured them of her commitment to addressing these issues and completing ongoing projects.
She urged constituents to vote massively for the NPP in both parliamentary and presidential elections to safeguard initiatives like the Free Senior High School policy and other impactful programs introduced by the NPP government.
In closing, Mr. Adam Mahmoud, Chairman of the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee and Chief Imam of the Tunga Community, encouraged electorates to fulfill their civic responsibilities peacefully and avoid actions that could jeopardize Ghana’s peace.