TradeAid Integrated, a Non-Governmental Organization has launched its election 2016 project; Enhanced Citizens’ Participation In Election 2016 In 5 Constituencies In The Upper East Region, which is aimed at educating residents in some selected areas to help ensure a peaceful election and also improve on the patronage by electorates.
At a brief ceremony to launch the project, Project Manager for the Enhanced Citizens’ Participation In Election 2016 In 5 Constituencies In The Upper East Region project, Simon Amoah, noted that over the year, there have been various shortcomings in the electioneering process including low voter turnout, lack of patronage by especially the aged and people with disability and chunk of rejected ballot papers.
He mentioned that this project by Trade Aid Integrated which is mainly supported by STAR GHANA will help address these problems which have over the years characterized elections in the country.
In doing this, he mentioned that Trade Aid will be working closely with stakeholders including National Commission on Civic Education, Electoral Commission, Security Agencies, Political Parties, Media and Community Based Volunteers.
The project will focus on Bolga Central, Bolga East, Bongo, Nabdam and Talensi constituencies and will basically be undertaken through Community-led education, Radio-based voter education, Practical Demonstration on how to vote, target focus discussion and Role plays.
Speaking to a1radioonline.com on the side-lines of the event, Deputy Regional Director for the NCCE, Joseph Kwaku Yeboah, mentioned that the project had come in to complement the effort of the NCCE at whipping up interest in elections.
He was very optimistic that the models in the project are feasible and will help address certain challenges including low voter turnout and also address the issue of rejected ballot papers.
On ensuring that the campaign becomes an issue based one, he mentioned that the NCCE will roll out its research into issues the citizenry wants addressed so that the political parties will factor them into their manifestos and speak to them rather than attacking personalities.
On his part, Board Member for TradeAid Integrated, Mr. Daniel Damka mentioned that it is the hope of Trade Aid to impact in the upcoming general elections adding that it is his hope that the selected Constituencies will become models when it comes to elections in Africa.
By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh | A1RADIOONLINE.com | GHANA
