The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has held a parliamentary dialogue for the 2024 election parliamentary candidates in the Bongo constituency. of the Upper East Region.

It was part of efforts to provide a platform for the candidates to share their vision with their constituents and solicit their votes and to also offer the electorate the opportunity to hold the candidates accountable and assess their policies for informed decisions in the December polls.

The dialogue was held in collaboration with the Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment-Ghana (RISE-Ghana), a civil society organisation, and brought together the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the only political parties with parliamentary candidates contesting in this year’s election.

Although the candidates failed to appear, their policies were presented by their representatives.

Mr Edward Asekere, the Bongo NDC constituency communications officer represented Mr Charles Bawadua, the NDC candidate while Mr Wilson Alebsina Anangine, Campaign Coordinator for Madam Diana Aburiya, the NPP parliamentary candidate, also spoke on her behalf.

The candidates, through their representatives, both promised to prioritize education, healthcare, roads infrastructure, agriculture and youth employment when elected in the December polls.

The electorates expressed disappointment over the failure of the candidates to honour the dialogue.

Ms Alice Ndego, the Bongo District Director of the Commission, said the NCCE conducted a research on matters of concern to the Ghanaian voter and the key findings formed the basis for the Commission’s Parliamentary Candidates Dialogue in all the constituencies of the country.

She said the dialogue was an avenue for candidates to articulate their vision and policies and engage with constituents on issues of national concern.

“As we stand on the threshold of an important election, we are reminded of the profound responsibility entrusted to each of us who seek the privilege of public office. Whether we are candidates or citizens, we are all here because we believe in the power of democracy, in the promise of better governance.

“This dialogue provides us with an invaluable platform to engage openly, to listen deeply and to reflect on issues that matter most to our communities, and to our country. It is a space for ideas to be shared, for solutions to emerge.

“Above all, it is an opportunity to affirm our commitment to transparency, accountability and integrity in public service”, she added.