By Edzorna Francis Mensah
Speakers at Edem Agbana’s Manifesto and Campaign Launch at Dzodze Dzesime, where he was introduced as the 2024 Parliamentary Candidate on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), have advised voters in the area to reject the NPP’s skirt and blouse voting approach and to vote massively for the NDC candidates in the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
According to them, the NPP’s campaign for skirt and blouse voting in Dzodze is a ploy adopted by the ruling party to reduce the NDC’s votes in its stronghold, aiming to undermine the party’s popularity in the area.
In his remarks, the former Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South advised NDC supporters against such a diabolical campaign strategy. He urged voters to resist any attempts to be swayed and to support the NDC candidates because “Edem Agbana represents the future of the NDC, and with him, Ketu North will secure a ministerial appointment that will provide the youth with opportunities for jobs and employment.”
Mr. Iddrisu emphasized that John Mahama needs a majority in Parliament to implement his 24-hour economy policy and other initiatives outlined in the National Manifesto. He also promised that an NDC government would construct a modern market at Dzodze, serving both Togo and Ghana.
The former leader called for a change of mindset and urged voters to replicate the high voter turnout seen in the 1990s.
Historically, NDC votes in the area have been declining, dropping from 96.0% in 1996 to 71.1% in 2020. Meanwhile, NPP votes have been increasing, rising from 3.4% to 27.8% during the same period. Predictions suggest that NDC votes may decline further if voters in the Dzodze enclave continue their skirt and blouse voting patterns in support of the NPP’s parliamentary candidate.
With these statistics in mind, the former Minority Leader called for a return to the strong voter support of the past, urging Ketu North to produce at least 96% of the vote as achieved in 1996, emphasizing the need to win this seat massively.
The MP for North Tongu and NDC’s Spokesperson on Governance also called on the people of Ketu North to do the needful and vote for “the young, dynamic, visionary, hardworking, and courageous parliamentary candidate, Eric Edem Agbana, for progress and prosperity.”
He highlighted that the NDC has many plans for the people of Ketu North and the Volta Region at large, including but not limited to the reconstruction of the Havedzi to Denu and Denu-Ho Highway, which cuts through Dzodze township, the establishment of a Trauma and Specialist Hospital near Dzodze to treat road accident victims, and the expansion of facilities at the Ho Teaching Hospital.
Other key speakers included the outgoing MP for the area, James Klutse Avedzi; Shamima Muslim, a communications team member of the NDC; Obuobia Darko-Opoku; John Dumelo; MP for Ketu South, Abla Dzifa Gomashie; and in attendance were the Volta Regional Chairman, MP for Akatsi South Bernard Ahiafor; Mawutor Agbavitor; and former parliamentary candidate aspirants for Ketu North.