Constitution is supreme - NCCE

Accra, April 22, GNA - The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) on Wednesday affirmed the relevance of the National Constitution Week cerebration, which is a process to contribute to the development of the spirit of constitutionalism in the country.

"Our eventual aim is to enforce the supremacy of the Constitution and make it, not only a living document but also part and parcel of the daily life of all citizens," Mr Kwaku Baa Owusu, NCCE Director of Public Education, told journalists in Accra.

Mr Baa Owusu, briefing reporters in Accra on the activities for the Ninth Constitution Week cerebration, urged journalists to sensitise the public on the essence of the week.

The Week, under the theme: "Beyond Elections: Citizens' Participation and Government Accountability" would be held from April 28 to May 4.

It would focus on the Right to Information Bill, Election as an Essential Element of a Democratic Society, and the Challenges of Building a Culture of Effective Citizens' Participation in the Contemporary Democratic Dispensation.

Activities earmarked for the celebration include discussions, debates and theatre performances to ensure that, "the Constitution becomes a living document embossed on the minds and hearts of the people for the attainment of democracy and good governance in Ghana". Mr Baa Owusu stressed that the annual event was expected to increase the sustained interest and participation of Ghanaians in the new democratic and constitutional dispensation for the achievement of good governance, and social and political stability for national integration and development.

Mama Adokwua Asigbe, Queenmother of Tefle Traditional Area, and a member of the Commission who chaired the launch, reiterated an appeal to the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service to include civic education in the curriculum of the education institutions. Other national programmes include National championship of the Constitution Game competition and inaugural lecture on April 28 to be delivered by Chief Femi Falana, President of the West African Bar Association.

The rest of the programmes are roundtable discussion on the Right to Information Bill to be led by Mr Akoto Ampaw, Head, Ghana Bar Association Human Rights Committee, reading of civic circulars in Mosques and Churches, radio and television talk shows and a forum for the security services. The national programmes would be replicated at the regional and district levels.