Participate fully in constitution review programmes - DCE

Breman Asikuma (C/R) June 3, GNA - The Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District Chief Executive, Mrs Georgina Nkrumah Aboah, has urged every citizen to contribute their views towards enriching the national Constitution. Mrs Aboah made the call at a forum, organised by the Constitution Review Commission with the District Assembly and the National Commission on Civic Education, (NCCE) at Breman Asikuma. The Programme was well attended by a cross-section of people including traditional rulers, heads of departments, assembly members and students of the Breman Asikuma Senior High School.

The DCE said the President and the National Democratic Congress Administration deserved commendation for instituting the Commission, adding, that the move was in fulfilment of a campaign promise. She, therefore, appealed to the NCCE to ensure that copies of the 1992 Constitution were made available at the markets for Ghanaians to have access to it. Mrs Aboah called for adequate resources for the NCCE to enable it to undertake it constitutional duties for Ghanaians to know their rights and responsibilities. The DCE also urged the people in the district to participate fully in the up-coming 2010 Housing and Population Census. She said the data that would be acquired during the Census would help effective planning and implementation of policies and programmes towards the development of the country.

Mr Clement Akapame, leader of the resource persons, took participants through discussions on the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, Chieftaincy, Decentralization and Local Government, the Retiring Age and Pension of Public Officers, and the Indemnity Clause. During open discussions, the Chiefs and people of the area added their voices to calls that chiefs should not take part in active partisan politics to avoid losing their respect and credibility in the society. They also suggested that the President should continue to appoint the District Chief Executives to enable them to implement his policies and programmes and also be accountable to him. Most of the students said that the rights of children as enshrined in the constitution should be enforced to protect them from all forms of abuses. 03 June 10