By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Essipong (WR), June 24, GNA – Mr. Lan Kwame Tugbenu, the Deputy Western Regional Director of the NCCE, says children with disabilities must not be excluded from the digital space.
The current digital space must improve upon the life of the child with disability on the various digital platforms – WhatsApp, Facebook, internet, telegram, YouTube, email in studies and life.
The Deputy Director was speaking to students of the Sekondi School for Deaf as part of the 2026 Citizenship Week Celebration on the sub-theme: “Growing Up Digital: The Ghanaian Child Upholding the Constitution Online.”
He said: “The NCCE, therefore takes sensitisation of the children with disabilities on online safety and cybersecurity very important in line with the Commission’s policy of inclusivity,” adding that,” the Commission would not leave anybody including the Persons with Disability behind.”
He used the opportunity to form a Civic Education Club in the school.
For over three decades, Ghana’s fourth Republican Constitution had provided a stable democratic framework grounded in the rule of law, human rights and accountable governance.
He indicated that sustaining the framework depended not only on state institutions but on raising citizens who understood their rights and responsibilities from an early age.
The citizenship week celebration instituted by the NCCE, had over the years become a practical platform for shaping civic awareness among school children.
It had moved beyond classroom teaching to real-life engagement; helping children understand governance, citizenship and their place in national development.
Mr. Tugbenu said though online learning platforms and gaming spaces provided opportunities for learning, creativity and global exposure, they also exposed children to misinformation, cyberbullying, online scams, inappropriate content, and privacy risks.
Many children were already participating in digital conversations without fully understanding the consequences of what they posted, shared or engaged in.
“Forwarded message, a comment or a video could influence opinions, damage reputations or even trigger conflict,” Mr. Tugbenu said.
He said the Constitution, therefore, remained relevant in this space, emphasiing that rights such as freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly.
“We as a Commission we are poised on equipping children with the requisite knowledge, values and practical skills required to uphold constitutional principles responsibly within the digital environment”
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Reporter’s email: [email protected]