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NCCE urges GES to introduce civic education early in schools

By GNA
Politics NCCE urges GES to introduce civic education early in schools
APR 28, 2017 LISTEN

Accra, April 28, GNA - The National Commission for Civic Education has urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) to consider the early introduction of Civic Education in schools' curricula to nurture civic responsibility in pupils at their early ages.

The Commission is of the view that introducing the Constitution and its prescriptions to school children at a younger age would facilitate the understanding of their rights and civic responsibilities.

The Commission said the delayed introduction of Civic Education, and by extension the Constitution in the GES curriculum, hindered their objective and mandate, particularly in relation to the youth.

At a media briefing to launch the Annual Constitution Week in Accra, Ms Josephine Nkrumah, the Chairperson of the Commission, said the Constitution, which guaranteed the duties of citizens and the Government, required the participation of all citizens to 'realise its objectives and to sustain the framework that ensures the dynamics of democratic governance'.

'In this regard, it is the duty of every Ghanaian to actively seek an understanding and appreciation of the provisions of the Constitution since it is intricately woven into the daily fabric of our lives,' she said.

She, however, lauded the country for progressing through 25 years of uninterrupted constitutional rule since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1992.

Ms Nkrumah urged government to look again at a report regarding amendments to certain provisions of the Constitution which was the result of nationwide public consultations whose process had been truncated.

She explained that the commemoration of the Constitution transcends public engagements to include; 'the evaluation of the impact of our programmes in relation to current and emerging national issues, and also for formulation of appropriate strategies to reinforce a collective sense of civic responsibility'.

'If we fail in our mandate to create and maintain awareness in a consistent and sustained manner, we risk having a citizenry that is constitutionally illiterate,' she added.

The 2017 Constitution Week celebrations, under the theme: 'Restoring the Ghanaian Identity: Our Values, Our Passion,' is scheduled to involve programmes like citizenship week, engagement with security agencies, e-Constitution quiz competitions in second cycle schools and piloting of a national dialogue on the theme.

GNA

By Kodjo Adams / Deborah Apetorgbor, GNA

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