Independent candidate for Tarkwa Nsuaem calls for tolerance

The Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Tarkwa Nsuaem in the Western Region, Ms Joy Jocelyn Andoh has called for tolerance and peaceful coexistence going into the next general elections.

She said peace remains the central ingredient for development, there is therefore the need to ensure every voter went about their civic duty of casting their vote without fear of intimidation or any act of violence.

She said as a candidate for Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency, her main focus was how to ensure broad consultation and bring development to the people of the constituency.

The Joy
The candidate is a former banker who also worked in the telecom sector but is currently an entrepreneur and Chief Executive of Joy Foundation, a humanitarian enterprise touching lives.

She said Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency remains one of the most important places in the country and contributes greatly to the national economy and deserves urgent attention.

Speaking after hours of a healthwalk through the principal streets of Tarkwa Nsuaem, she said even though the walk has health benefits, “It also provided us the opportunity to sell my message of peaceful coexistence, tolerance and teamwork going into the December general elections, devoid of insults, physical and personal attacks.”

Lobbying
She said as an independent candidate and a female in the upcoming elections, her main focus as a Member of Parliament was to revisit her lobbying skills to get the fair share of development for the people of the constituency.

“In our attempt to ensure we address the development challenges, we need stakeholder consultation which is actually at the forefront of my daily activities. One must also be a good listener,” she said.

Ms Andoh said the voter today has become so sophisticated and must not be taken for granted but be told the truth and to feel part of the democratization process.

The critical areas
Tarkwa, she said, has development needs which when addressed would ensure the transformation of lives, saying, “this transformation agenda focuses on seven critical areas which include health, agriculture, education and hygiene.

The other areas, she said, include trade, industry, critical infrastructure, and tourism that would lead to the emergence of entrepreneurs. Sports development in the area also deserves critical attention, she said, noting that she would lobby both local and international development agencies and corporate bodies to address the challenges, should be elected parliamentarian.

Ms Andoh said the time for closer synergies and constant engagement with electorates in the communities and traditional leadership to find best approaches to finding lasting, sustainable solutions to challenges within the communities while promoting local development.

She said as a candidate that knows the constituency very well, her election as member of parliament in the next parliament would ensure that people felt part of the development process.

Maintain the peace
On the general election, she said the country’s nascent democracy which has become the envy of many in the sub-region should not be derailed by any acts of violence.

“We have come a long way in nurturing our democracy, the time has come for us to take it to the next level by ensuring that we welcome other views and tolerate one another and that is what I stand for,” she said.

She said in the December general elections, “I want us to individually work toward peace, put the nation first, make a personal resolution not to engage in any act of violence and vote for Jocelyn.”

Ms Andoh said her focus currently is on the real needs of the people as she engages them through door-to-door campaigns, interactive sessions with community leaders and traditional leaders to understand the task ahead.

The philanthropist
“I must say this is not my first time engaging the people, I have done so through the philanthropy arm of my life. I must say we will work together as a people and reposition our constituency well for the benefit of the people,” she said.