New Juaben South MP boycotts NCCE debate

The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Hon. Mark Asibey Yeboah, failed to appear at a parliamentary debate which was organized by the Eastern Regional Branch of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), at Appenteng Hall in Koforidua.

The debate, which is being organized by the NCCE all over the country, aimed at deepening and involving the citizenry in active participation of democracy was not well attended.

Naomi Owusu Sekyere, the CPP parliamentary candidate, and Ransford Owusu Boakye, the NDC parliamentary candidate for New Juaben South Constituency, took part in the parliamentary debate, while their opponents from the other side, Nana Oboadie of the PNC, and the incumbent MP, Mark Asibey Yeboah of the NPP, were missing in action.

In an interview with Citi News on why the MP and the PNC candidates did not show up, Mr. Paul Narh Lawer, the Municipal Director of the NCCE, said, “we have  been in contact with the NPP secretariat all along; but they called us this morning to inform us that an order from above says they (NPP) should not participate in any NCCE programme.”

He added that “So I told my people that we should hold on and hope they come; but as you can see, the MP and his followers did not show up. The PNC candidate assured us he will be coming; but it’s unfortunate we lost contact with him and we do not know why he also failed to honour our invitation”

The NDC parliamentary candidate for New Juaben South, Ransford Owusu Boakye, who was disappointed about the incumbent MP’s absence, said the MP is not accessible to the people, and that is the reason why he will lose the election.

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“I do not know why and how Mark Asibey Yeboah did not come for the debate, I cannot talk for him; but I wished he came because most of the questions asked today was directed to him, he should have come to give answers to the people”

Ransford Owusu Boakye further stated  that “I have said it several times on different platforms that Asibey is not accessible to the people of New Juaben South, how can you vote for someone to represent you in parliament and when you need him it becomes difficult for you to see him because he lives in Accra now.”

Ransford Owusu, who is also the Eastern Regional Organizer of the NDC, was however optimistic about his chances in the December 7 e lection, also blamed the low attendance on lack of publicity

He said “this is a good programme, but the NCCE did not do well with the publicity, however I can boldly say without any shadow of doubt, that Assibey will lose this election because he’s not accessible, he only becomes accessible during elections and the people of New Juaben have realized it so am the people’s choice and am going to be accessible to them.”

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On the issue of low patronage by the public, Mr. Paul Lawer, said he was rather happy they recorded an incident free debate as compared to other areas like Suhum where they could not even organize due to unrest between the NPP and the NDC.

He said “I won’t blame it on someone or a section of the people sabotaging our event as it is being rumored, is not always that you can organize a perfect program but am happy we did not record any violence”

The debate which was moderated by the Chairman of the Regional peace council Rt Rev Prof Twum Baah was happy with the out come of the debate and  congratulated the two participants for the respectful manner in which they addressed issues.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana