By Albert Futukpor
Tamale, June 02, GNA – A training workshop on human rights legislation, public order and civic responsibilities has been held in Tamale to educate various stakeholders on civic space and how to claim it.
It was also for the participants to know their rights and responsibilities, and how their rights interfaced with their responsibilities as well as the rights of others.
Participants included personnel from the Ghana Police Service, representatives from labour unions, public institutions, NGOs, political parties, youth groups, the media amongst others.
The day’s workshop was organised as part of the implementation of the “Claim Your Space – Strengthening Civic Engagement in Ghana” project, which is aimed at strengthening the country’s civic space by enhancing citizens’ participation and engagement with state actors.
The project also 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 Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), an NGO, as the lead implementing organisation, in partnership with Transparency International, Ghana (formerly Ghana Integrity Initiative, and the Ghana Journalists Association.
Mr. Michael Boadi, Fundraising and Resource Mobilization Manager, Transparency International, Ghana, in a presentation on “human rights legislation, public order and civic responsibilities”, during the workshop, said whilst the civic spaces were guaranteed by law, it was important to educate the people to understand it.
Civic spaces refer to where citizens can freely express themselves, associate with others, and participate in public life without fear of intimidation.
Mr. Boadi emphasised the need for all to respect their rights and the rights of others to ensure a harmonious and open civic space.
He said: “Claim your space but claim it lawfully and claim it peacefully. There is no point in trying to exercise your rights, violating other people’s rights. But at the same time, there is also no point in keeping quiet whilst your rights are being violated.”
Alhaji Osman Abdel-Rahman, Executive Director, GDCA said the project was to build a more informed and active citizenry capable of engaging meaningfully with institutions, especially law enforcement agencies.
He added that, “The goal is to ensure that citizens are not only aware of their rights but also have the confidence and knowledge to express them responsibly.”
Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, the Northern Regional Director, National Commission for Civic Education, urged members of the public not to take the law into their hands but to follow laid-down procedures in undertaking any course.
Some of the participants expressed the need for regular interactions between the citizenry and the law enforcement agencies to deepen relationships for enhanced civic space.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Benjamin Mensah