NCCE district offices should be resourced -Nana Ampoti-Dwaah

Fomena (Ash), April 29, GNA - A traditional ruler has called for the adequate resourcing of district offices of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to enable them effectively carry out civic education programmes in the rural communities.
Nana Adu Ampoti-Dwaah II, the Krontihene and regent of Bodwesango, who made the call, noted that it was when the citizenry understood their civic rights and responsibilities that the 1992 constitution could better be protected.
Contributing at this year's Constitution Week celebration at Fomena in the Adansi North District of Ashanti on Thursday, Nana Ampoti-Dwaah said the nation would be the major beneficiary, if the NCCE district offices were better resourced.
The Krontihene, who is also a local government expert, observed that most coups had been hailed because the larger population did not know their civic rights and responsibilities. "It will not be easy for people to overthrow constitutionally elected governments, if the masses know what the constitution says about it", he said.
Nana Ampoti-Dwaah said civic education was essential, adding that, it would not be difficult for the people to understand government policies and thereby assist the government in carrying out its responsibilities to the nation. The Bodwesango regent touched on the theme for the celebration and said reducing poverty through citizens participation in local governance could only be achieved when the people understand their civic rights and responsibilities.
He was of the view that if the citizenry were better informed of their civic responsibilities, they would not only question the payment of taxes but would support the district assemblies in the generation of revenue to improve their lot.
"If communities are better developed and the people are happy and satisfied with their lives, they will not worry the central government", he said.
The Adansi North District Co-ordinating Director, Mr Hafix Adam commended the NCCE for working with scarce resources to educate the people on their civic roles.
"The turn out of the last general elections was historic and this is attributed to the efforts of the NCCE to educate the citizens to defend the country's democracy and the constitution", he stressed. Mr Adam observed that the country did not need any coups again and said, "we can give meaning to the constitution week only when we are able to reject coup makers".
He urged all the local government sub-structures to be functional so that participation in local governance could be effective. "It is only when we work together as an assembly, unit committees, town and area councils and Nananom, that we can create wealth and reduce poverty", Mr Adam stressed. 29 April 05