By Vanessa Adjei
The National Commission for Civic Education, NCCE has encouraged Ghanaians to study the nation’s Constitution as it forms the fundamental law guiding civic rights and responsibilities.
Chairperson of the Commission, Mrs. Josephine Nkrumah, said this in a statement to mark this year’s celebration of Constitution Day.
The Day, aside acknowledging Ghana’s longest serving Constitution, also ensures that the tenets of democracy, liberty, democratic governance, rule of law, accountability and constitutionalism are upheld.
Today, 7th of January is being marked across the country as “Constitution Day”. Coming to being since its inception in 2019, the day has been set aside to commemorate the birth of the 1992 Constitution which ushered in the Fourth Republic.
The NCCE said having uninterrupted Constitutional rule for 29 years is a milestone that must be celebrated by Ghanaians especially due the nation’s checkered political history and the overthrow of three previous Republican Constitutions, which were truncated by military interventions.
”The Fourth Republic has fostered peace, democracy and prosperity. The Commission reminds Ghanaians of the collective commitment to uphold and defend the 1992 Constitution against interference and interruptions”.
It said the Constitution reminds citizens of their duty to defend the Constitution, and must stand in defense against any person, group or issue that threatens the very fabric of the country’s democracy.
It added that all must reject the oppressor’s rule in any form or anything that seeks to disturb the peace and stability being enjoyed. The NCCE however notes that despite these gains, strengthening democracy by reforming and improving Constitutional infrastructure should once again be made a national priority.
This will help to tackle constitutional deficits and aspects of the 1992 Constitution that seemingly breed apathy from the public, disengaged the public in major aspects of governance at the grass root and national levels, further deepens marginalization, promotes excessive powers of the Executive and festers the course of corruption.
Our Constitutional framework is anchored on the cardinal pillars of freedom, justice, probity and accountability, liberty, equality of opportunity and prosperity.
”The dynamism of these principles must empower Ghanaians and our Constitution must be responsive to the evolving needs of its citizenry”.
”This will promote a sense of belonging and ensure the collective ownership and participation of every citizen from the grass root to the national level in our democratic journey”, according to the NCCE.