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24.03.2009 Politics

Democracy Africa presents 500 pocket-sized Constitution to Parliament

24.03.2009 LISTEN
By Stephen Odoi Larbi - Ghanaian Chronicle

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Democracy Africa, last Friday presented 500 pocket-sized copies of the 1992 Constitution to Parliament for it to be shared among Members and other staff of the Legislative House.

This is to enable beneficiaries in the House minimize the stress of carrying along with them the original big size of the 1992 Constitution in their day-to-day activities.

The presentation was made on behalf of the Organisation by George Odamtten, Facilitator for Democracy Affairs and received by the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament who doubles as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Avenor-Ave, Edward Doe Adjaho, on behalf of Parliament.

In his brief remarks before the presentation, George Odamtten noted that the gesture was to solicit the support of the Legislative House in the distribution of the pocket-sized Constitution to a great number of Ghanaians who have as a result of the size and cost of the original 1992 Constitution of the country have not been able to access them.

This, according to the Facilitator, would enable Ghanaians to come to the realization of all the rights and privileges they are entitled to, and have been guaranteed under the Constitution.

“Ignorance of the law and especially the Constitution of Ghana will no longer be used by those privileged few like the Police, politicians and even lawyers to take undue advantage of the general public.”

This would help push the understanding of the spirit and letter of the Constitution of Ghana, with the result that each Ghanaian will be law abiding and responsible, who would realize that politics, tribalism, religion and other social differences do not matter or are of no relevance with the spirit of the constitution”, he noted.

To that effect, the Organization proposed setting up offices in each of the 230 Constituencies in the country to enable it inform, educate and effectively use its available resources to ensure that each Ghanaian was armed with an in-depth knowledge of the Constitution of Ghana.

Receiving the items, Hon. Adjaho commended the Organization for its effort in making sure that majority of Ghanaians understand the importance of the 1992 Constitution since it is the fundamental law of the land.

“The Constitution is the fundamental law of Ghana, and our actions and inactions are subject to this Constitution. So, it is very important for everybody to carry one along to constantly remind us of our obligation to the country”, he noted. He promised the Organization of the House's fullest support in whatever way to enable it realize its dream.

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