NCCE outlines 4th Constitution Week activities

Accra, April 21, GNA - The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) on Wednesday outlined national, regional and district activities for the celebration of the 4th Constitution Week from April 28 to May 4. The celebration is on the general theme: "National Integration Through Tolerance."

Briefing newsmen in Accra, Mr Larry Bimi, Chairman of NCCE, said the programme would start with an Inter University debate between the University of Ghana, Valley View University, Cape Coast University and the University College of Education on the topic "Multi-Party Democracy Is The Best System For Promoting National Integration."

Reading of civic messages in Churches, Mosques, Shrines and educational institutions and in the local communities as well as an Inter-Community Football Gala between Accra New Town, Mamprobi, James Town, Nima, Mamobi, Tema New Town, Communities One, Eight and Nine forms part of the activities, Mr Bimi said.

He explained that the entire Ghanaian community would use the period to participate in discussions, debates, theatre performances and other activities on the Constitution to ensure that it continued to be a living document written on the heart and mind of the people for the sustenance of democracy and good governance.

Pupils of some second cycle schools would also engage in Constitution Game competitions.

The Commission would also launch the Constitution on Braille while the main event would be launched on radio and television simultaneously by students from a physically challenge school. The NCCE Chairman said these activities would precede the inaugural lecture on: "Building Social Capital for the Rapid Growth of Ghana's Democracy," at the Accra International Conference Centre on April 28. Other activities lined up for the week include discussion forums for fishermen, farmers and the disabled in society, festival of civic and Patriotic songs to promote unity, peace and strengthen solidarity. The NCCE Chairman said the role of the security services in consolidating democracy would be further strengthened with their involvement in the celebration through durbars for the Armed Forces; Police Service; Ghana Immigration Service; Ghana National Fire Service; Custom, Excise and Preventive Service and the Prisons Service. The topic for the security agencies is "National Integration Through Tolerance - The Role of Security Agencies." There would also be special radio and television programmes tailored to promote the programme.

The regional activities include, radio talk-shows, procession and route marches, quiz competitions among selected second cycle schools, reading of constitutional messages in churches, film shows on political tolerance, clean up exercises, drama performances and football matches. The NCCE Chairman appealed to the media to be involved in the programme of activities to sensitise and educate the general public on the Constitution and how its functions affected them.