Project to increase turnout in November polls launched
An Election Project, aimed at enhancing citizen’s interest and community-led voter education towards increasing voter turnout in the November General Election has been launched in the Upper East Regional capital of Bolgatanga.
The project, being undertaken by the Trade Aid Integrated, a Non-Governmental Organisation, (NGO), would be implemented in five constituencies in the Upper East Region.
They are the Talensi, Nabdam, Bolgatanga East and Central and the Bongo constituencies for nine months.
The launch, which was attended by some members of the security services, media, chiefs, and political party representatives, deliberated on working together with development partners to improve knowledge and skills in voting processes and procedures.
Mr Simon Amoah, the Project Coordinator of Climate Change Enhance Project, (CHANGE Project) under Trade Aid Integrated , said the project was to address the limited understanding and under appreciation of the importance of elections by the electorates.
This problem, he said, had contributed to the low voter turnout, inadequate participation of the vulnerable and aged in the election processes.
The project, which is being funded by STAR-Ghana, in collaboration with Trade Aid Integrated, is expected to contribute to peaceful, free, fair and non- violent general election in November to enhance Ghana’s democracy and national cohesion for accelerated development, he said.
Mr Daniel Damka, a Board Member of Trade Aid, who launched the project, said the outcome of the elections in the five constituencies would be a model for Ghana.
He urged all political parties to eschew insults and bickering and work towards a peaceful and creditable election.
Mr Nicholas Apokera, the Executive Director of Trade Aid, took participants through some programmes and activities of the Organisation and said the new project would help maintain peace in the area.
He noted that there would be no development if the peace of the country was compromised and, therefore, urged the stakeholders to support the project to make the elections a success and the region an icon of emulation.
The participants took turns to share their contributions on how to ensure that money was not used to destroy Ghana’s democracy; and how Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and the aged could be supported to participate actively in the elections.
Source: GNA