Tema Metropolitan Office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), was adjudged the overall winner of the 2014 Inter-District Constitution Quiz Competition.

They beat their closest rivals, Shai Osudoku District Office by 30 points against 29 points while Ablekuma Sub-Metropolitan Office had 28 point and Ashaiman District Office had 24 points.

The first to third winners had a silver cup, two copies of the constitution and a hamper each as their prize and the fourth position had a copy of the constitution and a hamper.

The competition which went through five series was sponsored by Promasidor Ghana Limited, producers of cowbell milk powder, Jenaam Travel, Tours and Rental Services, Bueno Mineral Water and FCMI Accra Limited.

The contestants were tested on their knowledge of the 1992 Constitution and current affairs as a means to re-tool them to carry on with their mandate.

Mrs Fanny Judith Kumah, Greater Accra Regional Director of NCCE and the initiator of the competition, said for civic education to take place there is the need for a vibrant and efficient staff to carry out the task.

She said the competition was in two fold as it would build their capacity as well as equip them effectively to embark on their mandate.

“Since our inception the NCCE has been using several interventions to equip its staff but the Great Accra Region has found it necessary to add another intervention to further enhance their work,” she added.

She urged the staff to work harder to achieve their targets and also ensure that the public understood every aspect of their civic responsibilities.

Earlier, the Ga East Municipal Chief Executive, Mr John Kwao Sackey, urged the public to see waste problem as a national one, which all institutions must tap into to solve.

He said waste is an essential commodity that everybody should take advantage of and encouraged related Ministries to begin to tap into the situation to see how they could benefit from it.

“For example, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture – how are they going to recycle the waste into agricultural manure to secure food security for the country; Ministry of Energy – how prepared are they to generate energy from the abundant waste to reduce burden on the hydro plant.

“Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts – what are they doing to support the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to address the waste situation to ensure clean environment to entice more tourists into the country,” he asked.

He said every institution had a role to play in ensuring that the country put its waste into proper and profitable use.

Madam Georgina Opoku Amankwaa, Deputy Chairman of Electoral Commission in charge of Operations, urged the NCCE to whip up public interest in the District Level Elections as the turn-out was usually low.

She said most people did not attach importance to that election although it is the most important, as the people elected would be in touch with the grassroots.

‘District level elections are very heavy task for the EC but unfortunately it is the one that the people are not interested in,” she said and urged the NCCE to start arousing peoples’ interest ahead of the election, which may come on next year.

She said the district level elections could not be conducted this year because of the extension of the on-going voters’ registration exercise which was delayed due to the court action against the EC.

Ada West District and Ledzokuku District offices of the NCCE received special hamper from the Regional Director for being the most courageous, resilient, committed and confident districts.