Democracy not limited to elections - Bimi

Accra, Feb. 14, GNA- Mr Laary Bimi, Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), on Wednesday said democracy was not only about elections but also helping people to make informed decisions.

"We can have free and vibrant democracy when stakeholders help to inculcate democratic ideas in the minds of people," he said at a ceremony in Accra during which the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) presented equipment to the Commission.

Mr Bimi said the NCCE had in the past helped to deepen democracy in the country and called on stakeholders to help to disseminate democratic ideas.

"Democracy is a shared responsibility and not only limited to the NCCE", he said.

Mr Daouda Toure, UNDP Resident Representative in Ghana, said the notion of civic education was not only limited to government but also personal responsibility of citizens.

"A country is recognized by the quality of its citizens and I call on Ghanaians to embrace personal responsibility."

Mr Toure said the UNDP recognized the critical role of the NCCE and promised more support where possible in the Growth and Poverty-Reduction Strategy (GPRS I and II).

The equipment valued at 473.3 million cedis included 10 LCD projectors; 10 laptops; cameras; two scanners; a printer; a computer and accessories and one canon photocopier.