By Benjamin Adamafio Commey
Accra, May 28, GNA – Professor Etse Sikanku, Dean of the Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC-GIJ), has highlighted the need for Ghana to build a strong civic education culture to safeguard and strengthen the country’s democracy.
He said civic education remained central to nurturing responsible citizenship, promoting democratic values and ensuring that citizens appreciated the importance of the rule of law, accountability and peaceful political participation.
“If we want to build a nation that we are proud of and a democracy that stands the test of time, we cannot do this without a very strong civic education culture,” he said.
Prof Sikanku made the call at a symposium for Civic Education Clubs in tertiary institutions organised by the NCCE under its ongoing project dubbed: “Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption.”
The programme forms part of the Participation, Accountability and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) Programme.
The symposium is one in a series of engagements the Commission is holding with tertiary students to build strong civic values and citizen participation for a successful and enduring democracy.
It is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), and implemented by GIZ.
He observed that countries with strong civic cultures produced citizens who respected the law, defended democratic institutions and actively participated in governance processes.
He noted that Ghana’s democratic reputation as a leading example in Africa could only be sustained if citizens embraced the principles of civility, equality, accountability and respect for one another’s rights.
He, therefore, commended the NCCE for its commitment to promoting civic consciousness among the youth and described civic education as indispensable to national development and democratic consolidation.
He cautioned against the use of insults, inflammatory rhetoric and intemperate language in political discourse, saying such conduct undermined democratic development and weakened constructive national dialogue.
“We should make sure that the ideals of civility and dignity guide us in our political discussions. We should be bereft of insults and all the things that undermine quality discourse,” he added.
Prof Sikanku also advised the media to continue to be the conscience of the nation, emphasising on its key role in democracy including providing citizens with platforms to express their views, participating in governance and holding leaders accountable.
Quoting media scholar Joseph Pulitzer, he said: “As a nation’s press goes, so goes its democracy.”
Prof Sikanku urged students and young people to engage in politics and national discourse responsibly and respectfully, regardless of their political affiliations.
“Yes, we can belong to political parties, but the politics that we do has to be decent, civil and respectful of each other’s rights,” he said.
He encouraged participants to become ambassadors of civic responsibility and defenders of democratic values in their respective institutions and communities, and expressed optimism that sustained civic education among the youth would help build a more peaceful, informed and participatory democratic society in Ghana.
Madam Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of the NCCE, called on young people to play active roles in helping to build a just and corruption-free society.
She said the youth, especially students in tertiary institutions, had the responsibility to help change negative mindsets and promote integrity, fairness and accountability in society.
“If we internalise and normalise corruption, then the end results should not surprise us,” she said, urging students to examine their own actions and behaviours instead of focusing only on corruption involving public officials and politicians.
She also encouraged members of Civic Education Clubs to see themselves as future leaders capable of influencing positive change in their communities and the nation, stressing that the fight against corruption should begin with individuals making small changes in their daily lives.
Also speaking at the symposium, Dr. Daniel Appiah, a Lecturer, Department of Public Administration at the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), called for respect for rules and equal treatment under the law, stressing that such principles were essential to sustaining democracy and accountability in society.
Dr Appiah, who was speaking on ethical leadership and the rule of law, cautioned against conflict of interest and emphasised the need for leaders to always place the interests of the group above personal gain.
He urged students, particularly student leaders, to practise integrity in their daily activities, especially in the handling of student funds, procurement processes and leadership responsibilities.
The symposium brought together civic education clubs from tertiary institutions including the University of Ghana, Christian Heritage University, University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) and Ghana Telecom University.
The NCCE also sworn in executives of the new civic education club at UniMAC.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Benjamin Adamafio Commey