CDD, CODEO organise debate for parliamentary aspirants in Odododiodio

The Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in collaboration with the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), on Tuesday organized a debate for parliamentary candidates in the Odododiodio Constituency in Accra. The debate formed part of CDD-Ghana's activities aimed at promoting policy issues in the electioneering campaign and providing opportunities for the electorate to interrogate aspiring parliamentary candidates in order to make informed choices during elections.  It was on the theme: "Promoting issue based campaign in election 2012: Involving People With Disabilities, Women and Youth". Supported by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the debate would provide the platform in 30 hotly contested constituencies nationwide. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) described as disturbing the inaccessibility of people with disability to most public and private commercial institutions. "If I am voted as Member of Parliament I will make sure that people with disability would be recognised and accorded the due respect in society.     "I will champion their cause in Parliament and play advocacy role for the implementation of the Disability Ac," he assured. He said, "I pledge that I will maintain peace in the constituency and supporters of the NDC would help me do that". Nii Vanderpuye assured the constituents he would lead a crusade to mobilise funds to build a modern sports complex for the people of Odododiodio. Captain Victor Okaikoi (retired), parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the constituency expressed concern about the spate of HIV/AIDs in the country and said when elected he would step education on it and encourage responsible behaviour to help prevent and control the spread of the disease. Captain Okaikoi said the NPP free Senior High School election campaign promise was feasible and added that the policy would bring about change in the educational sector.         Mr Emmanuel Nii Ako Oddoye of the Progressive People's Party (PPP) noted that the Government of the PPP would help people with disability by creating jobs to empower them to be self sufficient. He said the PPP was for peace and would continue to preach it before, during and after the December elections. Mr Oddoye said: "Under my leadership as MP of the Odododiodio, I will build an ultra modern boxing gym for the people of the constituency since our people stand to be benefiting from boxing."

GNA