Local elections non-partisan; but still political

Women candidates contesting the forthcoming District Level Elections, have been reminded that though the race was supposed to be non-partisan, it was still political, for which candidates must strategize.

Mr Augustine Bosrotsi, Acting Volta Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), gave the advice at a “Focus Group Discussion on the District Level Elections 2015” for women and People with Disabilities in the Kpando Municipal Area.

He stressed that it was essential candidates reached voters with their messages, which could not be done without some sort of planning.

Mr Bosrotsi said candidates needed a back-up team, working to a strategy laying out perhaps message packaging style, medium of delivery and when it should be delivered.

He said essentially the messages should be targeted for the desired effect.

Mr Bosrotsi asked women candidates to build up their capacities in public speaking, ready for public platforms.

The European Union is sponsoring the programmes, which in the Volta region is slated for four other districts, Akatsi-North, Jasikan, North-Tongu and Ho Municipal.

Mr Richard Asilevi, Kpando Municipal Director of the NCCE, said the forum was also to “whip up the enthusiasm of the electorate, especially women, youth and PwDs, to take active part in the forthcoming elections on March 3, 2015”.

Togbe Kpei the Second, of Kpando-Dzigbe, and co-chairman of the forum, regretted that the age-old male dominion over women was continuing.

Togbe Dake the Fourth, Kpando-Tsakpe-Deveme, also a co-chairman, observed that many wars could have been prevented if women were at the helm of affairs.

Alhassan Mutakiru, Unit Committee Chairman of Kpando-Torkor expressed worry about women generally being apathetic to governance issues at the local levels.

Theresa Tetteh, Assembly-Woman of Kpando-Dzigbe Electoral Area, who is in the race, said derision and stereotyping by the public, including women, were disincentives to women entering politics.

A total of 54 contestants, including 14 women, are vying for positions in the local elections to serve in the Kpando Municipal Assembly.

One of the two candidates vying in the Tsakpe-New Town Electoral Area is Vivian Nartey, 48, a visually challenged trader.

During an open forum, People with Disabilities complained that their disabilities were often used against them by their opponents.