The Volta Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kenneth Kponor, has emphasised the need for political parties to focus their campaign messages on the most pressing concerns of Ghanaians.

Citing a study conducted by the NCCE, Mr Kponor identified six key issues—education, employment, health, road infrastructure, the economy, and agriculture—as priorities for the electorate.

He urged political parties to centre their campaigns on these areas, promoting issue-based discussions instead of divisive rhetoric, insults, and mudslinging.

Speaking at a Parliamentary Candidates’ Dialogue organised by the NCCE at Anfoega in the North Dayi Constituency, Mr Kponor called on voters to base their electoral decisions on these critical issues rather than political loyalty or superficial promises.

He also cautioned politicians against using money or gifts to influence voters, reminding attendees that such acts constitute bribery and corruption under the Criminal Code of 1960 (Act 29).

"Both the giver and the taker of bribes will be penalised if found guilty," he stressed.

Mr Kponor further warned against the spread of misinformation and disinformation, urging the public to verify information before sharing it.

"Let us ensure we use respectful language on political platforms, as this fosters peace and stability in our political discourse," he added.

The dialogue provided a platform for parliamentary candidates to engage with constituents and outline their plans ahead of the December 7, 2024 elections. Questions from the audience and the moderator focused on the six key sectors identified in the NCCE study.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Mr Kudjoh Attah, was the only candidate to attend the event. He addressed these issues, presenting his vision for the constituency and committing to peaceful campaigning.

Rev. B.M.K. Mottey, Vice Chairman of the District Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), commended the NCCE for organising the event, describing it as crucial for redirecting political campaigns towards issue-based discussions.

He also encouraged attendees to embrace the peace messages delivered during the programme.

The event's moderator, Rev. Mawuli Dzah, underscored the importance of peace before, during, and after the 2024 elections.

He led Mr Attah in publicly committing to maintaining peace in the constituency, highlighting the role of dialogue in fostering unity.

The dialogue, which reinforced the NCCE's commitment to promoting informed voting, peaceful elections, and issue-driven campaigns, was attended by community leaders, political party representatives, teachers, students, and other stakeholders.

Attendees were reminded of the power of dialogue and the importance of voting responsibly.