The Western Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has initiated a new project to empower voters and enhance political dialogue in the 2024 elections.
The “Western Region Manifesto Project” seeks to foster informed political dialogue and ensure effective scrutiny of political manifestos.
Launched under the theme “Harnessing Digital Journalism for Informed Political Dialogue and Manifesto Scrutiny,” this 10-month project is supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). Its goal is to help constituents demand good governance and drive community development.
The project started with a town hall meeting in the Sekondi Constituency, marking the first in a series of such events.
The meeting offered a platform for residents to discuss their concerns and expectations with political candidates. Key issues raised included poor sanitation, unemployment, flooding, economic hardship, and the state of market centres.
Richard Asare, Chairman of the Federation of Persons with Disability in the Western Region, urged voters to approach the election with peace, unity, and tolerance.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining national stability and resisting attempts at political manipulation.
“Do not allow any politician to bribe you into actions that could disrupt the peace and stability of the nation,” Asare stated. “Ghana is all that we have.”
During the meeting, residents voiced their concerns. Madam Mavis Mensah highlighted issues such as inadequate sanitation and the need to renovate the Sekondi railway station and market centre to boost the local economy.
Abraham Mensah, project lead for the Western Region Manifesto Project, explained that the project aims to document and present community issues to parliamentary candidates.
“The aim is to record these issues and hand them over to the candidates, creating a template that the winning candidate will be expected to follow,” Mensah said.
Isaac Donkoh, representing the MP for Sekondi Constituency, responded to the concerns, asserting that the MP has been active in addressing development needs, including job creation and infrastructure improvements.
He assured residents that efforts would be made to address the raised issues in collaboration with the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA).
The local journalists’ association praised the town hall meeting as a valuable initiative that reflects a commitment to fostering meaningful political engagement and accountability ahead of the elections.
