eTV Ghana launches manifesto dialogue

Accra, Aug. 23, GNA - eTV Ghana has launched a policy assessment dialogue dubbed: 'Manifesto Dialogue,' to give political parties platforms to enlighten civilians on the policies they would implement when given power in the December 7 general election.

The dialogue which was launched in Accra would treat topics in eight sectors including jobs acquisition, education, trade and industry, agriculture and fisheries, health and the economy.

The dialogue is sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy Fund.

Mr Akwasi Agyeman, Managing Director of Global Media Alliance Broadcast Company, which is the mother company of eTV five major political parties, would engage in the dialogue, which would be organised in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast and Ho.

He said the initiative was taken because the Company want to focus on societal and economic challenges and not competitions among political parties as prioritized by other bodies that organise such programmes.

'We want to shift attention from personal attacks to what will make the country have a good governance and development,' he said.

Mr Agyeman noted that people have not really asked relevant questions, and that is why they want to give political party representatives abreast with each of the sectors to explain their policies to the citizenry through the dialogue so that they can be held accountable to the people when they are given the mandate.

'For the first time, I heard politicians say if I put my manifesto out first, the other political party ill steal it and of course they have to steal it when it will help the entire country,' he said.

Mr Fred Agbenyo, Deputy National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) told the GNA in an interview that the step is a good initiative that would help Ghanaians know what is contained in the manifesto of each political party.

He said since, a political party like the NDC cannot print millions of copies of their manifesto to every Ghanaian, the dialogue would allow them to deliberate on key policies with their stakeholders, which would be made known to the wider public through the various media outlets.

Mr Agbenyo said: 'We have been very ready for this manifesto dialogue since we received a letter from the organisers and we will be available whenever necessary to share our good thoughts for the country with Ghanaians.'

Mr Adam Sabo Abdul-Rahman, Assistant Regional Secretary of the News Patriotic Party noted that sometimes, political parties are good at telling people what they could do but not how they would do it.

He said the platform would therefore give the public opportunities to ask questions on how policies would be implemented.

He said the dialogue will direct their synergies into achieving a peaceful electoral environment, hence the need to encourage it.

Mr Abdul-Rahman said: 'This will contribute to a decent campaign and violent free election so that everyone can the results of the election no matter who becomes the winner.'

GNA