District inaugurates constitution week

Kalsegra(U/W), May 19, GNA - Mr Seidu Mumuni Iddrisu, Nadowli District Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) said, the country's current democratic dispensation could be well rooted and truly meaningful, if citizens participation in governance was not limited to participation in elections alone.

Despite the large voter turn-out of 83 per cent in the 2004 general elections, he said citizens must be inspired to participate in the democratic system holistically in an informed way. Mr Iddrisu said this when he launched this year's constitution week celebration at Kalsegra in the Nadowli District .

According to him, the NCCE envisioned the engagement of citizens in effective and qualitative participation in their local governance as a major task from now until next year when the district assembly elections would be held.

Activities during the celebration, which included lectures and workshops focused on the functions of the district assemblies and how citizens at the local level could be made part of the decision-making process.

He said the participation of people in local governance, through effective participation in their district assemblies would deepen democratic culture while decisions made would accelerate poverty reduction in the communities.

The Nadowli District NCCE Director noted that civic education was the greatest tool for ensuring positive behavioural change among the citizenry to promote democratic governance.