Agortime-Ziope IPDC holds parliamentary debate

In the run-up to the December polls, the Agotime-Ziope constituency’s Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC), under the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), held a dialogue and debate session for parliamentary candidates.

The forum was designed to offer aspirants a platform to outline their policies and vision for the constituency.

While the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate Kentle Seth Agbogli and the National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate John Tepe took part in the debate, the incumbent National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP), Charles Agbeve, was notably absent.

Speaking to Class News, Christian Ahiawodzi, the Agotime-Ziope district director of the NCCE, expressed disappointment at Agbeve’s absence despite being formally invited. 

He highlighted the importance of such platforms, saying that candidates should seize these opportunities to present their policies to voters. 

Emphasising that it helps constituents make informed choices about who represents them in Parliament.

The dialogue centred on critical areas, including health, education, infrastructure, and job creation. Candidates detailed their plans to tackle these challenges if elected as the constituency’s MP.

Nene Tu Abri IV, Warlord of Agotime Kpetoe and chairman of the event, urged candidates to prioritise peace throughout their campaigns. 

He stressed the importance of focusing on policies rather than engaging in political violence or insults.

The traditional leader also lamented the erosion of the role of chiefs in resolving disputes, calling on the next government to restore greater authority to traditional leaders.

NDP’s John Tepe pledged to tackle youth unemployment by promoting agribusiness and establishing a tomato processing factory.

“My focus is on agribusiness, and I will ensure that is done to create job opportunities for both young and old in the constituency,” he said.

Tepe added that his vocational initiative would integrate training into school schedules, ensuring young people graduate with employable skills.

NPP’s Kentle Seth Agbogli highlighted plans for scholarships and innovative skills training programmes, leveraging STEM and SMART education.

“The NPP government is committed to vocational and technical training STEM and SMART programmes, and this is a starting point for my policies to create jobs for the youth,” he said.

Agbogli also added that he will give tractors to farmers to enhance farm production to feed the country.

Constituents applauded the debate, praising the candidates’ willingness to engage and share their visions. 

Some voters voiced satisfaction with the policies outlined and urged whoever wins to prioritise job creation, particularly through the establishment of a Kente weaving village and the tomato processing factory.

The dialogue ended with both candidates pledging peace and coexistence before, during, and after the elections. 

Chiefs, queen mothers, community leaders, traders, and persons with disabilities were among the attendees.

Reporting by Solomon Mensah-Ahiable in the Volta Region

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