Constitution is too Expensive

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is determined to make Ghanaians accept the ballot box as the only means of changing governments in the country.

Mr. Kwame Antwi, Tema Municipal Director of the NCCE, said this can only be achieved if people are educated to see the Constitution as the supreme law of the country so that they can defend it against all forms of abuse.

Mr. Antwi, who was speaking in an interview with the GNA, however, noted that one major constraint that prevents ordinary people from buying and reading the Constitution is the current high price of 45,000 cedis for a copy.

The interview formed part of the activities marking the first ever National Constitution Week celebrations, which is being observed from April 28 to May 5 to renew the people's commitment to the Constitution and civic matters.

Mr. Antwi said the sudden price hike in the Constitution from 12,500 cedis last year makes it unaffordable to most people, who can read and write due to poverty and, therefore, suggested that it should be made available at a lower price.

The NCCE has abridged versions of the Constitution which is given out free of charge, while it has also been organising seminars and lectures for identifiable groups with the aim of bringing the legal document to their door step.

He said in Tema, the Commission has drawn up a programme targeting social and religious groups so that they would read the Constitution just as they read their Bible or Koran.

Mr. Antwi noted that the most abused article in the Constitution is the aspect on Fundamental Human Rights, either because people do not know their rights and responsibilities, adding that the NCCE is determined to change this gradually.