New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for Essikadu-Ketan, Charles Cromwell Nanabanyin Onuawonto Bissue, has received a resounding endorsement from traders at the Kojokrom market, with a pledge to vote massively for him in the next election, despite their earlier reservations about the election 2024.
For the traders, Charles Bissue exudes an unexplainable aura that makes his pronouncements about promising to change their living fortunes believable.
At a public engagement at the Kojokrom Market, the traders, one after the other, admitted they changed their pattern of voting in the last election because they were left disillusioned, as a good number of promises made to them were left unfulfilled.
“In all honesty, I had vowed to stay away from this year’s elections,” one trader echoed.
As election 2024 inches closer, the traders say they are too familiar with the palpable antics of the time and “promises of heaven” by politicians who only “suddenly become sympathetic to our plights, all because they want our votes.”
However, all the anger and vows of apathy seem to be dwindling considerably after several encounters with Charles Bissue, who has been explaining his programs of alleviation, those of Nana Addo, and that of a future government of Dr. Bawumia, which the traders see as convincing.
“I have listened to you, Onuawonto, and your plans for us. I have seen that they are realistic and easily achievable. What excites me the most is how you intend to involve all of us in your plans so as to make them for us. Of particular interest to me is the loan scheme, which goes to the core of our ability to function as traders,” a trader said.
“We are at the mercy of ruthless thieves.”
The traders complained bitterly about how thieves were making their lives miserable, losing several hundred cedis daily.
They mentioned that the current number of security guards is inadequate and pleaded with Charles Bissue to use his relationship with the government to secure more men for the market.
“There are only three security guards for the whole of this market. It is sad and heartbreaking for you to come back in the morning to discover that your shop or stall has been broken into. Most of us here use loans to trade, and when you are robbed, repaying the loan becomes hellish,” an aggrieved trader lamented.
One trader spoke of the urgent need to fix footbridges, leading into the market, which she said are in a deplorable state, and creating unnecessary “panic reactions anytime someone with a load uses them.
“It will be of great help to us if you can help fix CCTV cameras here,” another trader requested to loud cheers.
“We will find and work on the solutions together.”
Responding, Charles Bissue said his ultimate desire is to work for the total economic emancipation of the constituents.
“All your concerns about the market have been duly noted. My strategy will be to involve you all in finding solutions to the problems.
“It will be remiss on my part to tell you that I will solve all your challenges. What will happen is that we will take them one day at a time, and with God on our side, we shall prevail.”
