The event, organized by the National Commission on Civic Education under the theme “Together we can build Ghana” was to re-define and place emphasis on free, fair and peaceful election before, during and after the General Elections on December 7, 2024.

The Municipal Director of NCCE, Benedicta Duvor said the 1992 constitution of Ghana mandated every citizen to exercise his or her franchise but these acts of the citizenry should be done based on issues. She also said there is the need to make the candidates assure the citizenry of a congenial and peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the election as well as to listen to their plans and visions in order to hold them accountable if the visions and promises are not fulfilled.  

Mad Duvor was of the view that “every citizen including party foot soldiers and sympathizers need to understand that election is not war but making one’s opinion through a secret ballot”. She added that citizens should desist from taking items and cash from candidates before voting for them. “See, do not sell your conscience to the devil by making a wrongful choice which will go a long way to denied the nation a dignify leader.” She was heard emphasizing.

She also echoed that NCCE outfit had carried thorough research into the way candidates canvass for vote and they have decided to help the citizenry derive certain basic understanding through these thematic areas so that they could make an informed decision when casting their votes. These include: 1. Education, 2. Employment 3. Health 4. Roads and infrastructure. 5. Economy and 6. Agriculture.

She further made a clarion call to the people saying, it is about time the people pay critical attention to these areas and make sure politicians would be able to deliver on their utterances but not on enticement with cash and material things.

Madam Duvor then advised the electorates to be law abiding and not to be ultra vires by taking the law into their own hands at the polling stations. She insists that electorates should go home after casting their votes and return after 6:00pm to observe counting and the final polling station results. She concluded.

Reverend Owusu Addo advised contestants to exercise and act with decorum or decency in their utterances. He said contestants should duel on their visions and the areas questions would be based on so that the contest would not generate into unnecessary arguments and innuendos. Hitherto, Hon. Sammi Awuku the Parliamentary Candidate for NPP could not turn-up as a result of responsibilities beyond his control and hereby sent his unqualified apology through his party representatives.

Interacting with the house, Mr. John Evans Kumordzi, the parliamentary Candidate of National Democratic Party outlining his visions and plans for the constituency, he said if he is voted into office as a Member of Parliament, his main responsibility would be on job creation. Putting his ideas across, he said the teeming youth especially university and polytechnic graduate are loitering the streets and if care is not taken, social vices would increase and these would affect every facet government business. He unequivocally said as a former Police officer, he would make sure that quite a number of the youth gained employment to the security services namely: the police, army, Immigration, fire service among many others. He also touched on craving space for training of artisans to help the less privilege in society.

He also laid emphasis on agriculture as he pointed out that he was raised at a farming community in Kwamoso. He reminiscent the old days when the area was synonymous with the state farm where palm plantation was cultivated on a large scale. He said if he comes to the scene, the state farm and cultivation of vegetables and other crops would be encouraged to create job opportunity for the youth who have interest in agriculture. He also mentioned of subsidizing fertilizer and providing seedlings to farmers free of charge to encourage agriculture.

During question time, a member of the Peace Council said Mr. Kumordzi was too confident in his deliberations that he would be a state minister. Secondly, he was so happy for him having risen sturdily from a humble background to his present status but he advised that he should be decorous with his utterance that the NDC would “match boot for boot” with the NPP. He advised that, being a former Police officer, he should rather leave security issues to the law enforcers.

Mr. Daniel Ahwere also added his voice by saying that he was so much enthused when he mentioned of revamping the Adawso Market to the level of that of Kotokraba Market in Cape-Coast but he said he should add time line to it because the market is the only revenue generating market for the Municipal Assembly.

Finaly, Nana Sakyi also pointed out that the NDC candidate should tell the house unequivocally what he would as an MP elect, to help drive development within the municipality rather than referring to the NDC manifesto from time to time.

In conclusion, it could be said that though the NPP candidate could not attend the programme, the function receives representations from all institutions that matters including the Regional NCCE Director and her Deputy. However, the programme impacted its intended message and therefore was very successful since it was devoid of insults, banters, innuendos and name calling.