By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, April 03, GNA – A six month-long project, aimed at strengthening the country’s civic space by enhancing citizens’ participation and engagement with state actors, has been launched in Tamale.
The project, dubbed: “Claim Your Space”, seeks to empower citizens to exercise their democratic rights and foster dialogue between the public including the Ghana Police Service and other relevant stakeholders.
It is being implemented by the Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), an NGO, as the lead implementing partner, in collaboration with the Ghana Integrity Initiative, and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) with funding from Global Focus, an international partner.
The launch brought together representatives from key institutions including the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Trades Union Congress (TUC), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Ghana Police Service, religious authorities, and the media.
Alhaji Osman Abdel-Rahman, Executive Director of GDCA, speaking during the launch, said the project sought to address the increasing restrictions on civic space, which limited freedoms of assembly, association, and expression in the country.
He added that it would raise awareness of citizens’ democratic rights and responsibilities while improving dialogue between members of the public and the Ghana Police Service.
He said it would also enhance the transparency and openness of the Ghana Police Service in public engagement.
The project would involve various activities including media dissemination through radio, television, print, and social media, citizens would also receive training on human rights legislation and public order law while being facilitated with access to public information through the Right to Information Law.
Alhaji Abdul-Rahman emphasised that stakeholder engagement would be prioritised through citizen dialogues with the Police on peaceful protests, roundtable discussions with stakeholders, and the establishment of a multipurpose advocacy platform for civic engagement.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr. Wisdom Lavoe, Northern Regional Police Commander, described the project as strategic and timely to expand the civic space for all.
He reiterated the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to impartial and professional conduct, emphasising the need to strengthen communication and dialogue strategies with protestors while enforcing community policing approaches to prevent violence and confrontations during peaceful demonstrations.
Mrs. Felicia Kraja, Northern Regional Secretary, TUC, said many workers, particularly those employed by foreign companies, have had their rights violated and underscored the project’s importance in addressing such issues.
She said: “The TUC fully supports this project because securing our space as workers is essential to our well-being. If this initiative seeks to enhance our rights, then we stand by it and will support it.”
Mr. Abdulai Seidu Gone, Northern Regional Chairman of NAGRAT, commended GDCA and its partners for the project saying “One of NAGRAT’s core mandates is advocating for the welfare of Ghanaian teachers. I believe this project will help us fulfill that mandate more effectively.”
Mr. Yakubu Abdul Majeed, Northern Regional Chairman, GJA, expressed the willingness of the media to support the project to ensure success.
GNA
EA/BM