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The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has outlined key areas it will be focusing on in 2021 in its bid to educate Ghanaians on their civic rights and responsibilities.
Working under the theme “We are one, Ghana First,” the Commission aims at “reminding the citizens of Ghana the essence of togetherness and national cohesion for nation building.”
This was indicated in the Commission’s communique dated February 18, 2021.
Part of their goals for the year is to sensitize students and the general public on the need to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 safety protocols and to address issues of stigmatization among others.
Thus, the NCCE “within limited resources will design and distribute posters, flyers, stickers and other civic education materials to students to constantly alert pupils and students of the pandemic which remains a global health crisis.”
The NCCE will also be collaborating with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to educate the public on the introduction and administration of the Covid-19 vaccines.
According to the Commission, their engagement with the public during the 2020 voter education programme revealed that “the public are confused about the role of the Members of Parliament and District Assemblies.”
As a result, Members of Parliament would be included in the process to educate the public on their works and functions.
Taking into consideration the ongoing election petition hearing at the Supreme Court, the Commission deems it necessary to educate the citizenry to “be politically tolerant, embrace peace and ensure political cohesion after final judgement is pronounced.”
It believes that if such is done institutions in the country will have free space to discharge their duties.
The NCCE also in its communique noted that it will “actively engage the people of Ghana to respect the Rule of Law and uphold the integrity of the Judiciary, to strengthen the principles underpinning the 1992 Constitution.” This is due to the Commission’s concern about some utterances that are likely to undermine the Judiciary, which remains a critical institution in our democracy.
Considering the role media plays in consolidating democracy in the country and how the rights and the freedoms of the media have been abused, the Commission will be engaging the media and the general public on topical issues like “responsible journalism, respect for media freedoms and value for the element of free speech that the 1992 constitution guarantees the people of Ghana.”
Other areas to be considered by the NCCE in their education process are issues of violent extemisms that affect communities especially border communities in Ghana and issues relating to data protection which the Commission will be doing together with the Data Protection Commission.
While not denying the responsibility entrusted to the Commission to educate the public on the need to be responsible and remaim patriotic, the NCCE urges all Ghanaians to engage in civic education because “it is a shared responsibility.”
