Ghanaians urged to examine their living conditions

Tafo (ER), Oct. 18, GNA - Mr Victor Smith, Eastern Regional Minister, has urged Ghanaians to examine their living conditions and decide whether changing the present government or a continuation would be better for them.     He said politicians were supposed to be responsive to the needs of the people who gave them the mandate to serve in government and so the electorate must review the performance of those they gave their mandate to.     Speaking on the need for a peaceful election, at a forum organized by the Gender Centre for Empowerment and Development (GENCED) at Tafo in the East Akyem Municipality on Thursday, he indicated that violence was not the option for a better living and so Ghanaians must reject people who preached violence.      Mr Smith said much as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government was committed to ensuring a peaceful election to consolidate Ghana’s democratic gains, and that it would not allow people with ill motives to have their way.      He said for the fact that poverty and needy persons existed in the Ghanaian society meant that politicians had a lot to do and urged the electorate to vote for people who had their welfare at heart and had proved within this short time that they could improve their lives.     Mr Smith, who is the NDC parliamentary candidate for the Abuakwa North constituency, pledged his commitment to a peaceful campaign and election and urged supporters of all political parties to be mindful of their utterances and actions.      A representative of the French Embassy, Mr. Christian Jolley, said the French embassy was supporting the association to organize series of fora to drum home the need for peace for the sake of women and children who suffered most in times of conflict.      He said there was the need to create more opportunities for women to enter into politics since they constituted about half of the Ghanaian population.      Mr Jolley advised all Ghanaians to be committed to peace in the December polls, adding that “a system where everyone has a say in governance is better than coup de tat”.     Ms Ether Tawiah, the Programs Director of the association, said the project was inspired by the need to protect the marginalized group, particularly women and children who were often the victims of electoral violence.     He said it was not enough to talk about peace and that people must believe in it and work at it to ensure that it became a reality and not a talk show.     A representative of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) parliamentary candidate for the area, Mr J.B Danquah-Adu, said the party and its entire parliamentary candidates were committed to peaceful elections and hoped that the NDC which was the party in government would not abuse its incumbency for the sake of peace.     GNA... Read Full Story