NCCE holds parliamentary debate in KEEA district 

The Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has organized a forum for parliamentary candidates in the constituency ahead of the December 7 elections.

The event provided a platform for parliamentary candidates to present their vision to the electorate, engaging directly with constituents on key issues affecting the constituency.

 In his welcome address, the KEEA Municipal Director of the NCCE, Danabsin Naandam, explained that the debate aimed to give candidates an opportunity to articulate their plans and respond to community concerns. 

He states that similar debates were being held across all 276 constituencies in the country as part of efforts to promote informed voting decisions.

He expressed gratitude to the candidates present and encouraged eligible voters to participate in the upcoming election in a peaceful manner emphasizing the importance of peace in our democratic dispensation.

He noted that elections were a means to select leaders who could drive the country's progress, not a cause for chaos.

The two of the three parliamentary candidates, Dennis Percy Quaicoe of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Emmanuel Kofi Duku from the Progressive People's Party (PPP) participated in the debate. 

The incumbent MP, Samuel Atta Mills of the NDC was absent. 

The discussion focused on key issues such as education, agriculture, health, road and infrastructure, employment, and the economy and women and children's wellbeing.

Education

Mr  Quaicoe of the NPP acknowledged the decline in student performance and proposed a consultative approach. 

He pledged to engage the municipal directorate of education, school heads, and other stakeholders to identify the root causes and to work to find solutions to the problem.

 He suggested that, if necessary, he would "allocate part of the MP's Common Fund to support extra classes for students, particularly if parents could not afford the fees". 

On the issue of teacher accommodation, Mr. Quaicoe promised to collaborate with local communities to "raise funds for building housing units for teachers, especially in rural areas, and to negotiate with landlords to lower rent costs as a short-term solution"

Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Duku of the PPP said he would implement free vacation classes for students preparing for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

 He also proposed an annual award scheme to motivate the best male and female students and to cover all necessary educational materials for their transition to senior high school. 

He emphasised the need for comprehensive infrastructure development, suggesting that "teachers' quarters should be included in school construction plans, similar to the housing provided for police officers in barracks".

Health

On improving healthcare in the constituency Mr Quaicoe pledged to work to upgrade the existing polyclinic to a full hospital and enhance sanitation. 

Mr. Quaicoe of the NPP highlighted his plan to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to seek support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to equip healthcare facilities with necessary medical tools.

 He also proposed monthly community cleanup exercises and the provision of dustbins to promote cleanliness.

Mr. Duku of the PPP concurred that healthcare improvements were primarily a government responsibility but added that he would work with NGOs to organise free medical screenings.

He emphasised that the polyclinic could maintain its current status while focusing on delivering quality healthcare services. 

Regarding sanitation, Mr. Duku stressed the need for 'public education on proper waste disposal, arguing that simply providing dustbins would not be effective unless people changed their attitudes".

He proposed collaborating with schools to involve students in regular cleanup activities to instill good sanitation habits from a young age.

Agriculture

Mr. Quaicoe pointed out the traditional farming methods used in KEEA and pledged to partner with the Ministry of Agriculture and international organisations to train farmers in mechanized farming. He suggested group farming as a way to reduce the high costs associated with mechanisation.

 In the fishing sector, he promised to educate fishermen on modern fishing practices and facilitate access to soft loans to boost their businesses.

Mr. Duku, on his part, proposed a three-month training program for farmers on integrating technology into their agricultural practices. 

He pledged to secure machinery for the farmers post-training and criticized the practice of distributing agricultural chemicals only during election periods. Instead, he promised consistent support through collaboration with NGOs to provide essential resources throughout the year.

Road and Infrastructure

Regarding road and infrastructure development, both candidates acknowledged that road construction was the government's responsibility. However, they pledged to lobby for the prioritisation of roads in the constituency.

 Mr. Duku added that he would seek support from international organizations to complement government efforts if necessary.

Employment

Mr. Dennis Percy Val Quaicoe of the NPP stated that, if elected, he would take responsibility for creating job opportunities within the district to curb youth migration from the area. 

He pledged to provide tools and equipment for young people interested in acquiring vocational skills, aiming to enable them to establish sustainable careers locally.

 For those seeking government employment, Mr. Quaicoe acknowledged the current challenges in securing such positions without effective lobbying. He committed to using his influence to facilitate access to job opportunities for the youth. 

Additionally, for individuals with entrepreneurial talent who needed financial support to start their businesses, he promised to provide the necessary funding to help them get started.

On the other hand, Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Duku of the PPP shared his vision of fostering skills training within the community. If elected, he would ensure that "young people interested in vocational training receive the necessary support to successfully complete their programs".

 He emphasized that training should be conducted locally, rather than requiring individuals to move between communities, to promote skill acquisition within the district itself.

The Elmina District Police Commander, Superintendent Abraham Bansah, commended the candidates and audience for their participation.

He urged voters to exercise their rights calmly, avoid wearing party-branded clothing to polling stations, and return home after voting to await the results peacefully.

The Chief Fisherman of Elmina, Nana Kwabena Badu, also appealed to the community to maintain unity during the election period.

He emphasised that differences in political choices should not disrupt the communal harmony, urging everyone to participate in the voting process respectfully.

The forum asked how they would enhance basic education in KEEA, given the declining student performance and inadequate teacher accommodation. 

The forum also asked about their plans to support farmers and fishermen in adopting modern technologies to enhance productivity in the face of climate change.