Dr Ephraim Nsoh Avea, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Aspirant for Bongo Constituency has assured that when given the nod, transparency and accountability would be the hallmark of his administration.

The aspirant, who served as the Regional Minister for both the Upper East and Upper West Regions and also a Lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, said this in an interview with the GNA at Lungu, in the Upper East Region.

Dr Avea said it was only through the principle of transparency and accountability that resources meant for development projects could be used judiciously to make significant impact on the livelihoods of the people.

Dr Avea noted that he used to travel by public transport from Wa to Bolgatanga and back to Wa, when he was the then Upper West Regional Minister, saying that, was an example of a mark of good leadership.

The Aspirant said education would be one of his topmost priorities and assured the people that he would launch an Education Trust Fund and also operate an open door policy.

“All those children who have dropped out of school will be reintegrated into the school system. This I seek to do with support from government and other development partners”, Dr Avea stressed.

He said he would also empower the youth with skills and professional development to make them self-employable instead of always counting on government for employment.

Dr Avea mentioned the lack of health facilities, educational infrastructure, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and road infrastructure among others as some of the challenges in the constituency, and pledged to lobby the Government and other development partners to help address them.

A cross section of people interviewed in the constituency said before declaring his intention to contest for the seat in the area, the aspirant had contributed immensely to poverty reduction, especially among women, through the setting up of more than 195 Village saving and loans groups, which had benefitted over 2000 women directly.

They said apart from facilitating the growth of the NDC party in the constituency since 1992, Dr Avea has also helped in the development of education in the district, enabling the youth to acquire professional qualifications and employment.