Sunyani, May 6, - Mr. Issah Abdulai Nasagri, Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), has expressed the need for the citizenry to consider it as a right to participate in all governance issues. He also called for the regularisation of public interaction with the government to enhance and deepen democratic governance. Mr. Nasagri was speaking at the 10th annual constitution week celebration organised by the NCCE, in Sunyani on the theme: "Enhancing Constitutionalism through Effective Citizens Participation for Good Governance."

He said civic education was needed to promote democratic governance and maintain trustworthy governments in authority. Mr. Nasagri noted that consolidating the gains made in democratic governance demands that governments are accountable and transparent to the people.

"Democratic governance respects divergent opinions, cultural diversity and promote gender and social equity in an environment of freedom of expression," he said.

The Regional Director said the NCCE decided to celebrate the week to remind Ghanaians about the principles and objectives of the 1992 Constitution.

Making a presentation on the "the role of the youth in democracy and development", Mr. Kofi Adomah, a retired public servant, urged the youth to take part in democratic practises such as elections and to vote good people into power.

They must also submit memos to the authorities about their grievances, issue press statements and embarking on peaceful demonstrations. Mr. Adomah called on the youth to be patriotic by promoting the good name and prestige of Ghana and abide by the principles of good time management.

He advised them to avoid drunkenness and destruction of property, prevent political polarisation, pay their taxes and help in revenue mobilisation, engage in self-employment and promote national cohesion. He asked people in authority not to base the transfer of staff on their political affiliations in order to check the vicious cycle of vindictiveness. Mr. Adomah cautioned traditional, religious and political leaders to stop exploiting the youth to undertake devious acts.

Meanwhile, the Dormaa Municipal Office of the NCCE has launched a series of activities to commemorate this year's constitution week. Activities planned for the week include clean-up exercises, radio talk shows, non-denominational church service and a durbar to dilate on factors impeding the smooth functioning of the local government sub-structures including the urban/town/area councils and unit committees. The NCCE Municipal, Mr. Amankwa Boateng noted that the local government sub-structures have existed in principle for far too long and there was need for a second look to make them functional and responsive to the objectives for which they were established.

"It is believed that bringing the problems into the limelight and making concerted efforts to address them would not only enhance democracy at the grassroots but would provide the necessary impetus to the 1992 Constitution and all the relief it sought to bring to Ghanaians," Mr. Boateng stressed. The Assembly Member for Dormaa-Ahenkro, Ms. Gladys Araba Morrison, said the basic problem confronting the local government sub-structures was the attempt by ruling parties to skew them to their own ends, thus swaying the laudable objectives into partisan politics.

"For the negative trend to change, future District Assembly electioneering campaigns must be devoid of party support and any form of political party sentiments both at the local and national level," she said. She observed that even though the District Assembly concept required assembly members to sacrifice their time and efforts towards the development of their electoral areas, there was the need for them to get some basic incentives to motivate them. 6 May 10