My decision is based on desire to serve constituents — Bede Ziedeng

Declaring his long-held intention to become the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Lawra Constituency in the 2016 Election, Mr Bede Zeideng, a former Upper West Regional Minister, has said his decision is anchored on his desire to selflessly serve his constituents.

“Indeed, my people have asked for my services as a Member of Parliament since 1992 but various reasons account for this idea not coming into fruition,” he told the Daily Graphic in an interview.

“So for me, 2016 is a great opportunity to serve my people in this capacity,” he declared confidently.

The Lawra Constituency seat is currently occupied by Mr Abu Sampson, who is also seeking reelection on the ticket of the NDC.

Mr Zeideng, who is also a Deputy Director of Elections for the NDC, disclosed that he had always served the interest of his constituents to the best of his ability and in whatever capacity he had found himself in the past.

Track record

Cataloguing his track record, Mr Zeideng said he had served as Deputy Minister for Upper West Region for eight years, from 1993 ­—2001, during which “I truly served my people, including those in Lawra Constituency.”

“I also served as Regional Minister for the Upper West and Northern regions between 2013 and 2014, and in all these capacities, I rendered vital services to my people,” he stated.

According to Mr Zeideng, it is on account of these records that he thinks he should offer himself to be elected to parliament to serve his people and improve the lot of the NDC.

Key challenges

In Mr Zeideng’s view, there are still many challenges, including education, diminishing soil fertility and  migration issues, facing the people of Lawra which need solutions.

Concerning challenges with education, which is the bedrock of every society’s development, he gave an assurance that he would place a premium on that sector to overcome the challenges.

He also pointed out that farmers and the youth faced problems of diminishing fertility, with a resultant poor harvest of crops, leading ultimately to the uncontrollable migration of the youth, and sometimes the aged, from the northern part of the country to the south.

Solution

He stressed the need for concerted efforts to economically empower the youth and women to stem the tide of poverty and hunger.

He also underscored the need for enhanced health facilities, potable water, extension of electricity and the provision of many other social services to improve lot of the people.

“All these matters and many more have engaged my attention, hence my acceptance of the request from my people and I think with the right leadership, we can collectively chart a course that will provide the right solution,” he stated.

Assurance

He assured all contestants that he would conduct an issues-based campaign so that the people of Lawra and its environs could benefit immensely from the competition of ideas.