Parliamentary candidates for the Akwatia constituency in Election 2008, engaged in a debate in which they told the people what they could achieve for them, if elected into Parliament. They were Mr. Baba Jamal, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kofi Asare of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Samuel Agyei of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Mr Basil Ahiable and Mr Samuel Abrokwah, both independent candidates. The forum was organized by the Kwaebibirem District office of National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), at Akwatia on Wednesday. Mr Jamal said if elected as Member of Parliament he would work hard to re-instate Akwatia to its rightful place in Ghana. He said the diamond industry in the area had virtually collapsed resulting in the crippling of the Ghana Consolidated Diamonds (GCD) and the Akwatia Township losing its fame. Mr Jamal attributed these to the fact that the right person had not been given the chance to represent the people in Parliament. Dr Asare said if elected as MP, he would serve all the people and work to promote education in the area. He promised to work to ensure the rejuvenation of GCD and the workers paid their severance pay. Dr Asare said he would ensure that all second cycle schools in the constituency had telephone and are hooked-up on the internet and the Saint Dominic Hospital at Akwatia given a nursing training school. Mr Ahiable said in the past the people had voted along party lines for MPs who had failed them, but he would work for the development of the people if elected as MP. The parliamentary aspirant said he was already working to establish an institution in Akwatia that would offer degree courses in computer sciences. Mr Abrokwah said he would mobilize the people and use his share of the MPs Common Fund for the development of the area. Source: GNA