Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 requires equal participation from all relevant stakeholders and leadership from women in Ghana’s political and public life. However, studies reveal that women remain significantly underrepresented at various levels of decision-making within the public and private sectors. In Ghana, the journey toward gender parity, particularly in politics, is rather challenging, with limited women’s representation in candidacies and limited platforms for women politicians to engage with their audiences.
The Parliamentary Dialogues
To address this gap, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), RISE Ghana—a local nonprofit based in the Upper East Region—and A1 Radio, Agreed Best Communication Company subsidiary, have launched a series of Parliamentary Dialogues.
With funding from the Government of Ghana, Star Ghana, and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, these dialogues are set to take place across the 15 constituencies of the Upper East Region. The forums aim to create opportunities for parliamentary candidates to interact with constituents on pressing issues, enhance voters’ understanding and helping them make informed choices based on candidates’ competencies and development plans.
Special attention is given to priority groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and youth, to ensure their voices are heard.
Bolgatanga Parliamentary Dialogue
On November 13, 2024, hundreds gathered at the GNAT Hall to meet the three parliamentary candidates vying for the Bolgatanga Central Constituency seat. The candidates included the two-term MP and incumbent from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), along with Elvis Atia Awonekai from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Peter Akunlibe from the People’s National Congress (PNC).
The dialogue was divided into five parts. Candidates first introduced themselves, followed by a session addressing questions sourced from the Matters of Concern (MOC) report. The third and fourth sessions were dedicated to questions from priority groups and the general audience, respectively. In the final session, each candidate provided a closing statement.
Questions from Special Groups
Mark Atia Akubire, the Upper East Regional Chairman for the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, asked, “What we haven’t heard is what you will do for persons living with disabilities. As you ask for our vote, what will you do to improve the lives of persons with disabilities?”
A trader from the Bolgatanga Market, speaking on behalf of market women and parents, expressed concerns about the Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy. Speaking in Gurune, she asked NDC MP Isaac Adongo for his stance on the Free SHS and whether the NDC’s promised review of the policy implied its cancellation, fearing potential financial burdens on parents.
A student from Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School, representing her peers, raised another pressing issue: “Why are young people expected to pay money before they are given admissions into preferred schools?” Her question sparked enthusiastic applause from the largely teenage audience, many of whom were first-time voters.
Conclusion
As the Parliamentary Dialogues continue across the Upper East Region, the issues raised at the Bolgatanga session reflect the urgent concerns of constituents eager for responsive and inclusive leadership.
Candidates’ pledges to address the needs of women, persons with disabilities, and youth signal a hopeful step toward greater representation. With similar dialogues scheduled in other constituencies, the initiative continues to empower voters to hold leaders accountable and foster an inclusive political landscape ahead of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline.
Source: A1 Radio Online | 101.1 MHz | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith| Bolgatanga
