"Project Citizen" grooms students in Public Policy formulation

Ho, Oct. 28, GNA - Mrs Fanny Judith Kumah, a Director at the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has stressed the need for students to be trained to acquire the skills in public policy formulation to solve problems. "We are not growing any younger," she said, adding; "the youth need to be trained to take over from us."

Mrs Kumah made the call at a refresher workshop for teachers in charge of Civic Clubs in junior and senior high schools in the Ho Municipal Area as part of the NCCE's "Project Citizen Ghana" initiative. The Project, sponsored by the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Germany, seeks to groom students and pupils to understand, appreciate and acquire skills in public policy formulation in solving problems and in proposing public policy alternatives to governmental agencies. As part of the Project, Civic Clubs in pilot schools in the country compete in "showcases" at the regional and national levels to test their skills in public policy formulation and delivery. Mrs Kumah said it was important that students be trained to monitor public policy and public policymaking processes for good governance. She said it was imperative for the youth to be tutored to become effective citizens and leaders by developing the values needed for good governance.

The Project therefore targets students and pupils as agents of change that will consolidate Ghana's democratic governance by identifying problems in their communities and schools, gather and analyse information, develop them into policy proposals and action plans for their implementation. Mr Fidelis S.K. Attoh, Volta Regional Director of the NCCE, said "Project Citizen" was introduced as a portfolio-based civic education programme for students and youth groups to promote competent and responsible participation in local and national government. Mr Attoh called on the participants to network and up-date their knowledge and skills, to be able to train members of their Civic Clubs to raise formidable teams for the next regional and national showcases. He said the Volta Region could not afford to lose its first position in the previous national showcase.

A retired educationist, Mama Agblatsu III, who was a judge at the previous regional showcase, said the Project was the most practical way of preparing the youth to become effective leaders now and in the future. She commended the Hanns Seidel Foundation for putting its money where it mattered most in consolidating Ghana's democracy. The participants called on the Ghana Education Service to adopt the Project in all junior and senior high schools in the country. 28 Oct. 09