NCCE does not operate under gov't influence - Director

The National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) is an independent body which educates the public about the constitutional demands on citizens, Mr Kwaku Baah Owusu, Western Regional Director of the NCCE has said.

He said NCCE does not operate under government influence as people speculate, rather it is an independent institution established under the Constitution to ensure that every citizen knows his or her rights and obligations.

Mr Owusu was briefing the press on this year's Constitution Week, slated for April 28 to May 4 on the theme: "A Decade of Constitutionalism in Ghana - Strategies for Consolidation."

He said the NCCE, in collaboration with the Western Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) had outlined a number of activities to explain the Constitution to the people to ensure peace and development.

"There are some rough edges that the NCCE has to smoothen such as extending the education to homes, workplaces, churches, schools, market places and many other places."

Mr Owusu called for the collaboration from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Media Commission to discharge their duties effectively to the people.

He appealed for more funding for the NCCE, saying the district assemblies could allocate some of their Common Fund to support the Commission's work.

Mr Owusu announced that this year's Constitution Week in the region would be launched at Tarkwa, adding that a series of forums had been planned for religious leaders, fishermen, security services, a visit to the inmates of the Sekondi Prison and radio talk-shows as part of the celebration.