By Iddi
Yire, GNA
Accra, Oct. 19, GNA – Hajia Zaynab Joyce
Mahama, National Women’s Organizer aspirant of the National Democratic Congress
(NDC), on Thursday reiterated her commitment to create skills development
centres across the country.
She noted that the initiative which would
focus on the underprivileged would train women for various trades with a view
of empowering them to rally behind the NDC, as part of efforts to re-capture
power in the 2020 polls.
Hajia Mahama said this at the maiden
pre-election debate for aspirants in the National Executive Committee Elections
of the NDC.
The maiden debate is an initiative organised
by the Centre for Social Democracy (CSD) Ghana with support from
Fredrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Ghana.
It seeks to make the upcoming elections a
contest of ideas by creating a unique opportunity for delegates and other key
stakeholders to listen to the various aspirants and make informed choices at
the polls.
Hajia Mahama said these centres would be
managed by NDC Constituency and Regional Women Organizers; adding that the
first centre was scheduled to be commissioned in Krachi East in the Volta
Region.
She said as a mother, the welfare of children
and women would be central in her developmental agenda by putting in place
programmes and projects that would impact positively in their lives.
Hajia Mahama, said the training of young girls
would also form a special female force that would play a major role in
spreading information; and as well have a mandate to supervise polling stations
during the 2020 polls.
She stated that as an incumbent Women’s
Organiser, she realised the need to train women on public speaking and
grooming, and also underscored the need to unearth talents who would join the
NDC to take up responsibilities in the Party.
Hajia Mahama said, “I will galvanise the
support base of women in the country to ensure a massive victory for the NDC in
the 2020 general elections”.
In his welcome address, Mr Bede Ziedeng,
Acting Director of elections, NDC, noted that the initiative would provide a
level playing field to debate issues, share ideas and as well avoid personality
attacks.
He said the programme, would also help
aspirants to reach out to all delegates, adding that “as a social democratic party,
they were always concerned about reaching out every single person in the
society, both rich and poor.
Mr Ziedeng said the debate would test the
leadership capabilities of contestants and their ability to hold their own
against one another and communicate coherent ideas in connection with the
thematic Areas or questions.
He pointed out that officers for the National
Treasurer position were not included in the line-up because the party had
decided to appoint people to occupy the positions, rather than have them
elected.
He said Deputy National Officers were also not
part of the programme, as the party had decided to limit the debate to
substantive officers.
Mr Ziedeng said positions lined up for the
next session slated for November 1 and 2, 2018 were; National Zongo Caucus
Coordinator, National Organiser, National Communication Officer, General
Secretary and National Chairman.
In another development, the NDC in
collaboration with CSD and FES also hosted the aspirants for the National Youth
Organiser position.
GNA