By Elizabeth Larkwor Baah
Tema, May 08, GNA – The Tema Metro Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has organised its third edition of a constitutional quiz competition for security agencies within the metropolis.
The event, organised with support from the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), was aimed at promoting civic awareness and deepening understanding of constitutional and democratic principles among security personnel and was held under the theme “Ghana’s Future: Our Collective Responsibility”.
The competition saw the participation of various security agencies.
The Ghana Police Service was, however, unable to honour the invitation of the NCCE to participate in the quiz.
The quiz chaired by Mrs Comfort Aniagyei, the Chief Executive Officer of Freeminds Communications Limited, covered a wide range of topics, including selected chapters of the constitution, the functions of the participating security agencies, and international and current affairs.
The topics were carefully chosen to test participants’ knowledge and empower them to defend the constitution against all forms of abuse and violations.
Mr. Mawuli Agbenu, Greater Accra Regional Director of the NCCE, representing Ms Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of the NCCE, emphasised the importance of security officers being well-informed about constitutional matters, as they play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens.
He said the constitutional week celebration was established in 2001 to mark the country’s return to constitutional democracy, aimed at deepening the knowledge of the constitution and ensuring Ghanaians’ commitment to the constitution, and emphasised that Ghanaians need to play their role, devoid of corruption, in the development of the country.
Ms. Gifty Agyeiwaa Badu, the Tema Metropolitan Director of the NCCE, reiterated that the initiative formed part of the Commission’s flagship programmes held in connection with the 1992 Constitution Week celebration, celebrated annually by the NCCE to commemorate Ghana’s return to democracy.
Ms. Badu said the programme was aimed at encouraging the study of the 1992 Constitution among security agencies, promoting civic education and awareness, fostering a deeper understanding of democracy and nation building and testing the knowledge of personnel on the 1992 Constitution.
She expressed worry that even though the Ghana Police Service participated in the maiden edition, it has since not been part of the second and third editions, expressing the hope that they would help the NCCE to achieve the import of the quiz by joining.
Mr. Issac Ashai Odamtten, Tema East Member of Parliament (MP), commended the NCCE for the good work, saying the competition would foster a strong foundation of Ghana’s democracy.
He said the move would foster better collaboration and unity among the security agencies and serve as a good example for the students who witness the programme, urging the students to desire to learn from the competition as they await the inter-school debate.
Students from the secondary cycle of education from schools including Manhean Senior High Technical School, Chemu Senior High School, Tema Industrial Mission Vocational School, OLAMS, and Tema Methodist Senior High School served as an audience at the competition.
At the end of the keenly contested event, the Ghana Immigration Service emerged winners with 58 points, the Ghana Navy was in second position with 57 points, while the Ghana National Fire Service received 34 points and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority had 31 points.
The teams were presented with plaques, certificates of participation, and copies of the 1992 constitution.
GNA
LS/KOA