The European Union under the Accountability, Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Programme (ARAP) has handed over a Cinema Van to the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) in Accra.

The procurement of the Van for the NCCE is to increase the audio-visual capacity of the Commission to reach out to the communities using documentaries, films, audio recordings, and live street interactions.

The Van worth 101,154.73 Euros comes with a mobile generator, public address system, flat-screen, and other audio-visual equipment.

Mrs Diana Acconcia, presenting the van to the NCCE, congratulated the Commission for its efforts in delivering much-needed awareness campaign on COVID-19, especially on the health protocols to the communities across the country.

She said the Commission would use the Cinema Van to extend its educational campaign, notably on environmental governance issues such as illegal mining and logging, and poor waste disposal in affected communities.

She said the Van would also help deepen the operational capacity of the Commission to reach out to the citizenry with the key message of peace and violent free elections before, during and after the December polls.

She said, over the years, the NCCE had played a key role in mobilizing the society on citizens concerns and in raising awareness for political participation.

"We are thus proud of our partnership that has supported the Commission boosting citizens' participation in several elections from 2008 to 2016 and we should be able to collaborate as well in this year's elections on issues of conflict prevention," she added.

The EU Ambassador said besides the elections, the Union has had a long Cooperation partnership with Ghana, working on issues of public sector reforms, domestic revenue mobilisation, public expenditure management, fighting corruption and improving accountability standards.

Madam Josephine Nkrumah, the Chairperson of NCCE, commended the EU for its continuous support to promote civic education and democracy in Ghana.

She said the Commission had enjoyed many years of fruitful collaboration with the EU and that ensured that the NCCE was able to perform its mandate effectively.

The Chairperson said with funding support from the EU, the Commission was able to ensure its presence on the ground.

Madam Nkrumah said the lack of audio-visual equipment was one of the Commission’s biggest concerns but expressed the hope that with the van
The presence and visibility of operations would be enhanced.