Don't be complacent with level of democracy - Ghanaians urged

The Chairman of the National Commission for Civic Education NCCE, Mr Larry Bimi, on Saturday urged Ghanaians not to be complacent with the level of democracy in the country.

Speaking at a symposium organised by the University of Cape Coast branch of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) on the theme, "The student and the future of democracy in Ghana," he said, "everything must be done to develop and nurture it to bear fruit".

He said democracy could only thrive in a nation where the people were committed, have national interest at heart and void of tribalism, political and religious intolerance, gender imbalance and other tendencies, which undermine national growth.

He said Ghanaians would be practicing true democracy if the people were made aware of their civic rights and responsibilities and were ready to protect and defend the constitution.

Mr Bimi urged students to acquire knowledge on democracy and to study the constitution adding, "It behoves on you to participate in all aspects of the democratic process to put the government on its toes.

It is not enough for you to vote but you must make sure the people you vote into power are leaving up to expectation".

He advised them against calling for the overthrow of the constitution and asked them to protect and defend it at all times as true citizens of the nation.

Mr Bimi called on students to join the NCCE to campaign for the inclusion of civic education in the curriculum to enable the youth to understand democracy and the rule of law better.

Mr Vincent Manu, Local NUGS President said university students had resolved to build a good image for the Union.

"Gone are the days when student leadership was measured in the number of alutas organised," he said.

Mr Michael Ampong, President of the Students Representative Council, noted that the problem of most African countries were due to corruption, civil war and poverty and called on the leaders to find solutions to them.

He called on the government to enhance democracy by making sure that all political parties had the resources to operate with.