DCE urges removal of political cloak surrounding NCCE

Kyebi (ER), June 25, GNA- The East Akyem District Chief Executive, Mr. Victor Asihene, has said it was time Ghanaians begun to lend their unalloyed support to the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) since its failure could invariably lead to the collapse of the current democratic dispensation.

He said it was pertinent that the citizenry realized the crucial role the NCCE plays in educating the people about the legitimacy of the current political dispensation, warning that its failure could lead to disastrous dislocations of the political system.

Mr. Asihene who admitted to being initially skeptical of the Commission, said he now realized its outmost relevance to the constitutional task of creating an enabling environment for the democratic growth in the country.

The DCE was speaking at a day's seminar organized by the NCCE for Queens in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area in the Eastern Region to expose them to the concept of social auditing that, among others, is to enable them to play a more proactive role in the development of their areas.

In attendance were the Okyenhemaa or Paramount Queen of Abuakwa, Nana Adutwumwa Dokua and her Divisional Queens from the East Akyem, Kwaebibirem, Fanteakwa, Suhum-Kraboa-Coalter, West Akyem and Atiwa Districts.

According to Mr Asihene, any politicisation of the work of the NCCE could harm the Commission's functions and pleaded with the public to rather concentrate on how the Commission' staff discharge their duties and when they falter, to call them into question. The DCE appealed to the Queens to be the galvanizing force of the people for development at the grassroots, since they could use the authority they wield to arouse the people for the development of their areas.

The Chairman of the NCCE, Mr Larry Bimi, explained that the concept of social auditing was to make traditional rulers interested in what services were being provided for their areas by the state, while they use their influence to ensure the projects were not wasted. He charged the Queens to also be interested in the economic empowerment of their women through sound educational and skill acquisition since the lack of education and access to economic resources could "render women helpless."

Mr Bimi noted that greater access to political power minus an increased educational opportunities would do little in narrowing the gap between women and resource acquisition.

He advised that women should concentrate on demanding opportunities for higher education and respect rather than equality, "because respect and education focus more on humanity, the appreciation of other people's rights, worth and values, which equality might not necessarily overcome."

The Okyenhemaa accepted the challenge that traditional rulers must give hope to their people by encouraging them to be assertive and demand what legitimately belongs to them in non-confrontational ways. In this regard, she tasked women to take advantage of the skills being offered to ensure that they were not left behind but be involved in the governance of their communities and ensuring that their voices were heard. 25 June 2006