Let us reaffirm the fundamentals of the social contract between government and citizens – NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education, Eastern Regional Directorate, has called for the strengthening of the pillars of the social contract between government and citizens, which is a crucial element for economic transformation.

“This contract is built on mutual trust, understanding, and responsibility, where citizens agree to submit to the authority of the government in exchange for protection, security, and essential services,” Ms. Ophelia Ankrah, NCCE Eastern Regional Director, stated at an engagement with a cross-section of the public at Koforidua.

The engagement organized by the NCCE in collaboration with the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET) forms part of the activities to create a social contract between Ghana’s leaders and its citizens for Ghana’s political and economic transformation.

Speaking at the engagement, which was monitored by Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult), [email protected], which is a development communication advocacy non-governmental organization, Ms. Ankrah emphasized that the essence of a social contract is reciprocity.

She said it is the duty of citizens to pay taxes, obey laws, and contribute to the nation's development, while the government provides infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social welfare.

Ms. Ankrah stressed that accountability also serves as one of the cardinal pillars of the social contract, which ensures that the government is responsible for using resources efficiently, making informed decisions, and being transparent in its actions.

“Citizens have the right to engage in the political process, express their opinions, and hold the government accountable for its actions, while the government ensures citizens' rights, freedoms, and safety, are respected under the rule of law and social order,” the NCCE Eastern Regional Director stated.

For economic transformation, this social contract is vital. Ms. Ankrah noted and explained that there is a need for a stable environment, and the government is mandated to create a conducive business environment, attract investment, and drive growth.

Ms. Ankrah noted that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure consistent human capital development through education, healthcare, and social services that will empower citizens to contribute to the economy.

As part of the social contract, the government is mandated for infrastructure development, as the government must consciously invest in infrastructure, facilitating trade, innovation, and economic progress, she stated.

For social cohesion, Ms. Ankrah explained that the social contract fosters unity, reduces inequality, and promotes inclusive growth.

She also linked social contracts to gender, climate change, health, the private sector, and youth and development.

On gender, Ms. Ankrah's calls for passing the Affirmative Action Bill that will enhance women’s participation in decision-making have been ongoing for over a decade.

“When passed, it takes an equally long time before the various mechanisms that need to be put in place to ensure that the bill is finally implementable are put in place,” she said.

The NCCE Eastern Regional Director therefore calls for a holistic approach to strengthen the parameters of the social contract, ensure a harmonious partnership between government and citizens, drive economic transformation, and ensure a brighter future for all.

Mr. Augustine Bosrotsi, NCCE Eastern Regional Deputy Director, with an emphasis on youth and development, pointed out that the skills and training young people receive don’t make them a good match for available jobs.

He expressed concern that young people are not given the opportunity to be involved in the governance of the country and called for a shift in paradigm.

The engagement, which was on the broad theme “Social Contract: Compact for Ghana’s Political and Economic Transformation,” aims to address the fundamental problems underlining the country’s economic and developmental challenges.

The engagement brought together individuals from the general public, the private sector, and the youth to bring out issues bordering on poverty, poor education, poor health practices, and social vices.

Professor John Asafu-Adjaye, a senior member of ACET, asked participants in his remarks to compare Ghana’s economy to other countries that had independence around the same time as Ghana did, such as Singapore and Malaysia, to see the economic gains made.

Ghana has been to the IMF seventeen times to help stabilize its economy, which has become a cycle the country needs to break.

Prof. Asafu-Adjaye added that ACET, as partners, and the other seven bodies have come out with seven areas that need to be attended to.

These areas were economy, constitution, climate, education, health, galamsey, and national planning.

He said ACET has already done the technical studies on the compact document and visited specific policymakers, both private and public, to introduce the document to them.

He said ACET is currently collaborating with NCCE to move to the people on the ground to hear them and their recommendations at the regional level.

In attendance were other NCCE officials from the National Headquarters, which included Commission Secretary, Mrs. Lucille Annan; Deputy Chairman of Finance and Administration, Mr. Victor Brobbey; Director of Programmes, Dr. Imurana Mohammed; and Director of Communication, Madam Joyce Afutu.