Civic Education should be a compulsory subject – forum

Speakers at a forum on 'Youth Volunteerism in Ghana' have called for the re-introduction of civic education as a compulsory subject in both the first and second-cycle schools.

They share the view that current arrangements where the study of civic rights and responsibilities are subsumed under social studies is not good enough to develop a sense of patriotism and love for the nation.

The seminar, which was sponsored by the international NGO Volunteer Service Oversees, sought o revive the spirit of volunteerism among youth-based organizations in Kumasi.

Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Nii Nortey Duah said the sector ministry would give the requisite resources and logistics to coordinate activities of voluntary youth organizations to enable them contribute to notational development.

He emphasized a national sense of direction, education for employment and entrepreneurship development as tenets for high sense of nationalism and youth volunteering.

Mr. Nortey Duah charged officials of the National Youth Council (NYC) to publicize its activities to erase what he describes as 'the vague perceptions about youth development in Ghana'.

Ashanti Regional Director of the National Service Scheme, Kwasi Quainoo, bemoaned “the global trend of dominance of capitalism and materialism over service to humanity”. He says this has led to a situation where individuals neglect the general well-being of others in society and compromise volunteerism in the process.

Regional Youth Coordinator, Amankwaah Frimpong, observed the urgent need for national reorientation for the youth to be conscious about nationalism and patriotism.

He noted that collaborations between the National Commission for Civic Education, the NSS and NYC would help promote and sustain youth volunteerism and development in Ghana.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh
Development / Accra / Ghana / Africa / Modernghana.com