User:DR. CHARLES DWAMENA A.K.A. DR. CHINA

About Dr Charles Dwamena Dr Charles Dwamena was born and bred at Nwamasi, a town within the Kwadaso Constituency, to the late Augustine Dwamena and Helena Dwamena. He attended Martyrs of Uganda Preparatory School and from there proceeded to Opoku Ware School, where he become the Senior Prefect (BC208) in his final year. After completing Opoku Ware School, he gained admission into the University of Cape Coast as one of the pioneer students to read Bsc. Human Biology. Whiles studying at the University of Cape, Dr Dwamena got the opportunity to study medicine abroad, thus truncating his Bsc Human Biology program to pursue MBBS (medicine) at the Wenzhou Medical University in China. Upon completion of his MBBS program, Dr Dwamena undertook his clinical duties( housejob) at the second affiliated hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in China, and the Pavel Josef Safarika University Hospital in Kosice. Upon completion of the mandatory practice, Dr Dwamena enrolled at the University of Cumbria to read Masters in Business Administration, Leadership and Sustainability option. He is also a Cambridge University Certified level four Teacher with expertise in Adult Education. Dr Dwamena is the founder and current Executive Director of the TAED Foundation, a non-governmental organization that is committed to the promotion of sustainability in Education, Healthcare and Democracy in Ghana. He is a founding member of the New Patriotic Party’s Branch in China, where he elected as Chairman of the Branch for two consecutive terms. He is also the founder of Hadsbak Sanitary Ware Enterprise Limited, Medhouse Ventures, and TAED International Medical Centre. Dr China, as he is popularly called, is a married Christian and blessed with one child.

Political Background Dr Charles Dwamena, though relatively young in life, has amassed a wealth of political experience. Until March 27th, 2015, he was the youngest NPP Guru to have ever held the position of an external branch chairman (equivalent to a regional chairman) and above for two consecutive terms. He is a founding member of the China Branch of the New Patriotic Party and was elected to serve as the Chairman of the China Branch for two consecutive terms, from 2011 to 2015. He also served as the Chairperson of the Asia-Pacific Caucus of the party during the same period of time. He has served as the spokesperson for the external branches on a number of occasions, the most recent one being the press conference he addressed on behalf of the external branches after the Super Delegates Congress in 2014.

At the national level, Dr Dwamena has contributed immensely to the party by making inputs in policy directions of the party as well as logistical support to the party at various levels. In the 2012 campaign, Dr Dwamena was stationed at the Danquah Institute, where he actively participated in the monitoring of the elections. In the build up to the election petition case, Dr Dwamena was posted to the residence of the 2012 Presidential Candidate, Nana Akufo Addo, to oversee the TESCON students collating the pink sheets. As a branch Chairman, Dr Dwamena actively participated in a number of NEC meetings as well as National Council meetings and has contributed immensely to the policy formulation of the party as well as logistical support to the party headquarters.

At the Regional level, Dr Dwamena actively supports programs embarked upon by the regional secretariat. Typical examples include his generous financial support to the regional secretariat in the organization of the ‘Yaye Den’ and ‘Ya Bre’ Demonstrations in Kumasi. Dr Dwamena actively supports the regional communication’s team with regular financial contributions as well as going on radio and other media to propagate the party’s message of hope for Ghanaians. He is also the Patron for the regional women wing, supporting them in diverse ways.

At the Constituency level, the contributions of Dr Dwamena can also felt. As far back as 2008/2009, Dr Dwamena started supporting the constituency through regular yearly contributions, supporting the constituency with cash donations and gifts of rice and oil to motivate the polling station executive members as well as the constituency executive members. This generous continuous support to the constituency was duly acknowledged by the constituency executive members in 2011, where they nominated Dr Dwamena as a Patron to the Kwadaso Constituency for his active contributions to the constituency in a letter dated 3rd October 2011 (ref: 001/KW/11NPP).

In the 2012 general elections, Dr Dwamena donated T-shirts to support the party’s parliamentary candidate at the Kwadaso Constituency. In 2013, Dr Dwamena, supported the polling station executive elections at the Kwadaso Constituency by paying for the forms on behalf of all the polling station executive members in the constituency. In 2014, Dr Dwamena, gave the constituency office a facelift by donating and fixing an airconditioner and sliding doors at the constituency office. He also supported the limited registration exercise conducted by the EC in 2014 by taking it upon himself to provide meals for all the people in charge of the exercise, ie. the NPP agents, EC officials, and even agents of the other political parties including that of the NDC. Dr Dwamena actively monitored the entire exercise at all the ten centers set up within the Kwadaso Constituency, where he visited and interacted with the officials during the exercise.

Political Views As a Liberal Democrat, Dr Dwamena fully believes that majority decision should prevail and that minority views should however be analysed and as much as possible accommodated. He believes in principles such as the rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, civil rights, democratic societies, secular governments, international cooperation, liberty and equality. His political views have largely influenced his message of creating equal opportunities for the people of Kwadaso Constituency so as to bring about sustainable development.

Positions Occupied within the party 1. Chairman, NPP China Branch, 2011-2015

2. Chairman, NPP Asia-Pacific Caucus, 2012-2015

3. Nominated as a Patron, Kwadaso Constituency, 2011

4. Patron, Ashanti Regional Women Wing, 2014 to date

5. Patron, TESCON ALUMNI, 2014 to date

Visions for the Party within the Constituency Dr Dwamena hopes to help develop the human resource capacities of all party members especially elected officials ie polling station executive members, zonal coordinators, and constituency executive officers through training workshops and economic empowerment and by so doing the party structures will be firmly established for the growth of the party.

Visions for the Kwadaso Constituency As an educationist, a medical doctor and a business executive, Dr Dwamena believes in opportunities and as such hopes to spearhead the creation of equal opportunities for a sustainable development within the Kwadaso Constituency whiles effectively representing the people of the constituency at the National Assembly. This, Dr Dwamena, hopes to achieve through the implementation of the 12-point agenda for the Kwadaso Constituency outlined below:

12 Point Agenda for Kwadaso Constituency Dr Dwamena believes that development of the party and development of the entire constituency are interspersed as the former is the vehicle through which a candidate is able to enter parliament to spearhead development for the later. He has consequently set out a twelve point agenda, four of which are devoted to the growth of the party and the remaining eight to the growth of the entire constituency. In addition to his primary task of making laws and probing government activities, when given the nod to represent the people of Kwadaso Constituency, Dr Dwamena believes in spearheading development within the constituency through twelve thematic policies and programs. The twelve key areas Dr Dwamena hopes to touch in order to effectively represent the good people of Kwadaso Constituency so as to bring development are:

1. Creation of equal opportunities for a sustainable development:- Through this agendum, Dr Dwamena hopes to create opportunities for constituents willing to avail themselves. His diverse background as an educationist, a medical doctor and a business executive will not only make him an excellent legislator who will proactively advocate for the welfare of his constituents but also an MP who will actively spearhead the creation of equal opportunities for all constituents. 2. Operation 90/10:- An agendum that is aimed at helping the party to bag at least 90% of all votes cast in the Kwadaso Constituency during the 2016 general elections. 3. Delegates Welfare system:- An agendum that seeks to motivate the grass root of the party by setting up welfare funds in all the wards of the constituency so as to attend to the welfare needs of the dedicated party people. The welfare system will then eventually be extended to all constituents. 4. Participatory democracy:- When given the mandate, Dr Dwamena intends soliciting the views of constituents on major issues to be debated in parliament. Such views will be solicited through community durbars and interactions, online polls on a dedicated constituency website, phone interactions, etc. His voting pattern in parliament on such issues will then be a reflection of the views of majority of the constituents. 5. Creation of a properly functioning Constituency Secretariat:- Dr Dwamena intends creating a properly functioning constituency secretariat where all constituents, irrespective of political affiliations can visit and seek any assistance or directions without fear or favour. This, he believes, will go a long way in promoting his agenda of participatory democracy for the people of Kwadaso Constituency. The secretariat, which will be the administrative hub of the MP’s office, will also be responsible for disseminating information on all programs and projects embarked upon by the MP’s office to all constituents. 6. Transparency and Accountability to constituents:- Dr Dwamena, again intends to be accountable to the good people of the constituency through the constituency secretariat. He believes statutory funds such as MPs share of common fund and NHIS fund are funds for the people and as such desires to make all expenditures known to the people and give the people a say in the usage of these statutory funds through the various boards he intends setting up to assist him represent the people of the constituency. To this end, Dr Dwamena intends giving a quarterly statement of account to all constituents through the constituency secretariat. He believes by ensuring transparency and accountability, he will be making the Kwadaso Constituency a shining example in the whole country. 7. Creation of a Constituency Development fund:- Dr Dwamena recognizes the fact that the central government and the District Assemblies are the primary agents of development. However, he believes that MPs can and should spearhead developmental projects in their constituencies. He also believes that, an MP should be able to lobby for support from civil society organizations and other bodies in the quest to bring development in the constituency. Hence, his desire to set up the Constituency Development Fund, which will be the major vehicle for his developmental agenda and shall be managed by professionals with the requisite skills and experience. 8. Creation of a Constituency Commerce Board:- As an MBA, Dr Dwamena believes that economic empowerment is essential to sustainable democracy. He therefore intends to set up a constituency Commerce Board that will be made up of successful business people within the constituency so as to bring on-board ideas on how to promote SMEs in the constituency whiles serving as the catalyst for new ones. By promoting the growth of SMEs in the constituency, Dr Dwamena believes that, he will also be creating employment avenues for the unemployed within the constituency. 9. Creation of a Constituency Committee of Elders:- Dr Dwamena believes in harnessing the rich knowledge and experience of the elderly in the constituency. This committee, he believes, will afford the numerous senior citizens of the constituency, the opportunity of directly having a say in the affairs of the constituency. 10. Creation of a Constituency Education Fund:- Education, Dr Dwamena believes is the key to enhanced development. He therefore desires to set up a constituency education fund to assist the sub metro education office in addressing the numerous challenges facing education in the constituency. Among other things, the fund which will be managed by experienced educationists within the constituency will be responsible for offering scholarships to brilliant but needy students, funding a constituency wide vacation classes for JHS pupils, organizing vocational training placement for interested constituents, augmenting the metro education’s efforts aimed at promoting education in the constituency, etc. 11. Creation of a Constituency Artisans Board: Dr Dwamena intends setting up a constituency artisans’ board to promote the interests of artisans including but not limited to carpenters, tailors, seamstresses, mechanics, etc. The board will among other things, be responsible for organizing training workshops for artisans, seeking wider markets for their products, making them more competitive in their various fields, etc. The board will also be tasked with the responsibility of liaising with the various financial institutions in a bid to assisting artisans in the constituency to acquire the necessary tools that will make them more competitive in their various trades. 12. Creation of a Constituency Assembly: Dr Dwamena intends setting up a constituency Assembly which will be made up of all the chiefs or their representatives within the constituency, all the assembly members within the constituency, the heads of the various boards and committees of the constituency, the heads of the various constituency funds, the chairpersons of all recognized political parties within the constituency, the heads of all recognized religious bodies within the constituency and the staff of the constituency secretariat. This Assembly shall be the chief advisory body to advice the MP on issues concerning the constituency and shall have a say on the developmental agenda of the constituency. The various boards, funds, committees, etc shall submit reports to the Constituency Assembly for review. This, Dr Dwamena, believes will ensure equitable distribution of all funds to the benefit of the entire constituency whiles promoting his participatory democracy agenda.

55 Achievements within the Constituency Dr Charles Dwamena has already started doing the little he can to create equal opportunities for a sustainable development within the constituency. As at press time, Dr Dwamena had spearheaded over 55 projects and programs within the constituency and each of the 14 towns can boast of at least one of these projects and programs. The following are the list of these projects and programs:

Apire: 1. Construction of a fully furnished ultra-modern Police Post 2. Free Medical Screening and Care for Residents 3. Vocational training scholarship to residents 4. Donation of plastic chairs to NPP group 5. Ebola/ Cholera Awareness Campaign

Nwamasi: 6. Donation of medical equipment worth GHC15,000.00 to the Nwamasi Community Clinic 7. Setting up of library at the Nwamasi M/A JHS 8. Ebola/Cholera Awareness Campaign 9. Vocational Training Scholarship

Nzema: 10. Restocking and painting of library at Agric JHS 11. Donation of boxes of chalk and other materials to the Agric JHS 12. Vocational training scholarship 13. Ebola/Cholera Awareness Campaign 14. Citizenship Week Lecture with NCCE at Agric JHS

Amanfrom (Agric) 15. Setting up of library at Amanfrom SDA JHS 16. Ebola/Cholera Awareness Campaign

Edwenasi 17. Free Medical Screening and Care for residents 18. Donation of roofing sheets to the Edwenasi Rehabilitation center 19. Ebola/Cholera Awareness Campaign 20. Vocational training Scholarship

Ohwimasi 21. Setting up of library at the Ohwimasi Anglican JHS

Denkyemuoso 22. Setting up of library at the Denkyemuoso Primary School 23. Donation of motor bike and furniture to the Denkyemuoso Techiman Police Station 24. Ebola/Cholera Awareness Campaign

Techiman 25. Free medical screening and care for residents 26. Setting up of library for Techiman JHS 27. Ebola/Cholera Awareness Campaign 28. Vocational training scholarship

Tanoso 29. Free Medical Screening and care for residents 30. Citizenship Week Lecture with NCCE at Tanoso Adventist Preparatory School

Pokukrom 31. Donation of plastic chairs to NPP group at Pokukrom

Apatrapa 32. Free Medical Screening and Care for residents 33. Setting up of library at Apatrapa M/A Basic School 34. Ebola/Cholera Awareness Campaign 35. Vocational training scholarship (journalism)

Nyankyirenyasi 36. Setting up of library at the Nyankyenyasi Methodist JHS 37. Donation of roofing sheets to the Nyankyenyasi Methodist JHS 38. Ebola/Cholera Awareness Campaign 39. Vocational training scholarship (journalism)

Asuoyeboah 40. Setting up of library at the Asuyeboah M/A JHS 41. Free Medical Screening for residents 42. Construction of an ultra-modern police post at SNIT Flat, block 2, next to the abattoir (on-going project) 43. Vocational training scholarship

Kwadaso-Nsuom 44. Construction of an ultra-modern police post at ‘Mary Day Care’ 45. Citizenship Week lectures with NCCE at M/A JHS

Kwadaso-Proper 46. Setting up of library at Kwadaso SDA JHS 47. Ebola/Cholera Awareness campaign for Kwadaso Market women 48. Free medical screening and care for residents 49. Vocational training scholarship 50. House-house Ebola/cholera Awareness Campaign 51. Citizenship Week Lecture with NCCE at Kwadaso SDA JHS

Kwadaso-Nsiah Asare 52. Setting up of library at Ohwimasi M/A JHS (Beposo School) 53. Donation of chairs, tables and other educational materials to Ohwimasi KG school (Beposo KG) 54. House-house Ebola/Cholera Awareness Campaign 55. Vocational training scholarship 56. Citizenship Week Lecture with NCCE at Ohwimasi M/A JHS

Constituency-wide 57. Support to 2014 limited registration exercise conducted by the EC within the constituency 58. Donation and fixing of air conditioner and sliding doors to the Constituency office 59. Paying of nomination forms fees for all polling station executive members in the 2013 constituency elections 60. Regular donation of bags of rice and oil as well as financial contributions to the constituency to support and motivate polling station executive members within the constituency 61. Donation of banner to Kwadaso Constituency Youth Wing 62. Monitored and motivated BECE candidates within the constituency

Dr Charles Dwamena, the mpuntuo wura, is the most politically experienced of all the candidates aspiring to represent the Kwadaso Constituency judging by his long and meritorious service to the party as well as his numerous achievements and service to the community. Join him, in his quest, to bring equal opportunities for a sustainable development in the Kwadaso Constituency.