By Isaac Arkoh, GNA
Cape Coast, Mar 08, GNA – The National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) has urged Ghanaians to continue to embrace the basic values of the Constitution, founded on the principles of democratic accountability and respect for the rule of law, human rights and individual liberty and freedom.
According to the Commission, after 68 years of political independence, most of the people believed those principles must form the bedrock of national development and individual prosperity.
Mrs Marian Ansah Gyamera, the Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Director of the Commission disclosed this during the annual Constitutional Quiz competition for basic schools in the district.
Promising Star Academy (PROSA) won the competition whilst Ave Maria Preparatory school, Shiloh International school, Methodist ‘B’ school and Promising Star Academy respectively, followed.
The annual competition formed part of the Commission’s mandate to engage pupils and Ghanaians at large to appreciate the relevance of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
It sought to instil in them a sense of civic duty to promote patriotism among students and enable them to participate in sustaining Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking on the theme: “Ghana’s Future: Our Collective Responsibility,” she said it was important for Ghanaians to take interest in not only studying the provisions of the 1992 Constitution but understanding it, particularly at an early age.
She said Ghana had made giant strides in sustaining her constitutional rule for more than 30 years and “for that matter, it has earned her the enviable reputation as the beacon of democracy in Africa.”
To her, the periodic elections and the peaceful transfer of power among others were some achievements while emphasising the proliferation of the media and their attendant surveillance and informative roles as cogent reasons for the protection of the Constitution.
While commending stakeholders for their collaboration and dedication to the course of constitutional rule and the mandate of the Commission, she urged them to sustain gains to help make Ghana a better place for all.
Mr Seth Panwum, District Director of Education, advised the students to avoid act of social vices and concentrate on their books to become responsible future leaders.
He indicated that the youth, nowadays, invested their time in activities that would not be beneficial to them and that prevented them from excelling during examinations, adding, “Make reading your habit and desist from spending much time on the internet and cell phones.”
GNA
AT/KOA