NCCE outdoors Election 2012 campaign tool kit
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) on Tuesday launched a comprehensive Election 2012 campaign tool kit to serve as electoral instrument for measuring accountability and responsiveness of Political Parties to the needs of Ghanaians.
The 88-page book titled: “Election 2012-Matters of concern to the Ghanaian Voter,” which is dedicated to the memory of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, captures important matters of concern to the voter.
The campaign tool kit which is a reflection of a nationwide survey conducted by the Commission exposes both Presidential and Parliamentary candidates to issues paramount to the electorate.
Available data indicate that education was projected as the topmost important issue of concern to the voters, followed by health, employment, women and children, agriculture, roads and infrastructure, corruption, social services, sports and the economy.
Other issues of concern to the electorate in Elections 2012 are energy, national security, youth development, and housing.
Launching the book “NCCE Elections 2012 Campaign tool kit,” Professor Ivan Addae-Mensah, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana graded the survey report as excellent and noted that it gave out a valid foundation for campaigning.
He said having scanned the book thoroughly, “It is interesting to know that Ghanaians are more interested in social issues rather than economic issues…the three northern regions are ready to vote for female candidate either as MP or President”.
The data indicated that 83.6 per cent of respondents in the Upper East Region, 81.3 per cent in the Northern region and 75.3 per cent in Upper West region said they will vote for a woman either as MP or President; whilst 63.6 per cent of respondent in Ashanti region said they will vote for a woman.
Prof Addae-Mensah described the findings as interesting as the Ashanti region had always been considered as the place where the traditional roles of women had been emphasized.
“With a low proportion of respondents stating their willingness to vote for a woman implies that gender advocates need to revise their notes and intensify their educational campaign,” he stated.
Mrs Charlotte Osei, NCCE Chairman described the book as an important contribution to the efforts being made towards ensuring successful Presidential and Parliamentary elections in December.
The publication seeks to give voice to the Ghanaian electorate and draws the attention of those seeking political office to the concerns of the citizenry, she stated.
She said it also provided innovative information on the strengthening and evaluation of Ghana’s democracy. ” … the views of the electorate on what they like most about Ghana, who is most responsible for protecting Ghana’s democracy and the best way to strengthen our democracy”.
Mr Kwesi Jonah, Senior Fellow of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) chaired the launch which was attended by leading members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP), civil society activists, media practitioners, and a cross section of the public.
Source: GNA