Uphold Principles of Public Accountability - NCCE Urges Ghanaians

Madam Josephine Nkrumah, NCCE Chairperson

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has to consciously help consolidate the gains made so far in the country's democratic journey by upholding the principles of public accountability.

It said though the country had had two decades of sustained constitutional rule, citizenry's low demand for accountability and low transparency in public office holder's engagement with the citizenry remained weak spots.

"Accountability is one of the principles in good democratic governance and the NCCE is convinced that public office holders and the general public can contribute to sustaining Ghana's democracy," it said in a statement.

It was issued by Joyce Afutu, Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs of NCCE to launch the start of this year's Annual Constitution Week which ends on Friday, May 4.

Under the theme, "Our Nation, Our Heritage: Consolidating Ghana's Democratic Gains", engagements to be held in commemoration would focus on transparency and accountability.

Security services and civilians would be engaged on the significance of the 1992 constitution "as the supreme law of the land which must be preserved, protected and defended at the peril of our lives."

The NCCE, in 2001 adopted April 28 every year to commemorate the day Ghanaians decided, through a referendum to endorse and accept the 1992 Constitution as the fundamental law of the land.

This year marks 25 years of uninterrupted constitutional rule under the fourth Republic.

"The Commission's Annual Constitution Week, therefore, serves as remainder for Ghanaians to safeguard the 1992 Fourth Republican Constitution of Ghana," the statement said.

It said this year's celebration sought to draw the attention of politicians, public servants politicians, media, amongst others, to the need to uphold critical values of governance.

These values it said included rule of law, demand for accountability and transparency, dedication to duty as well as civic participation in governance, especially at the local level.

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