Good democracy requires balanced participation of all - NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has observed that for a country to achieve high democratic credentials, it required the balanced participation of the entire population.

Mr Samuel Akolgo, a Senior Civic Education Officer of the Commission in the Upper East Region, made the observation when he addressed Stakeholders, including Traditional and religious leaders, Women and Youth Groups and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), at separate functions at Garu, Pusiga, Bawku West Districts and the Bawku Municipal, to encourage them to support more women to win the forthcoming District Assembly Elections scheduled for next year.

He pointed out that a country could not talk about Democracy or Good Governance when half of its population was not participating in Governance.

The Senior Civic Education Officer explained that the main reason why women had to be engaged in politics at all levels was not to emulate men, but to bring a unique feminine perspective to bear on the decision-making processes in governance, for peaceful co-existence and development of the country.

“The human right to full and equal participation in power and decision-making provided for in the Constitution include, among other things, the right to participate on equal terms with men in shaping and implementing decisions and policies affecting them, their families, communities and societies,” Mr. Akolgo observed.

He indicated that the continued exclusion and marginalization of majority of women during decision-making processes, did not create strong and healthy democracy for the country, and urged all Ghanaians to support women and people with disabilities (PWDs) in the upcoming District Assembly and Unit committee elections.

He said the NCCE is a constitutionally mandated Institution aimed at creating awareness and educating Ghanaians on the significance of the Constitution, strengthening constitutional democracy and awareness of civic rights and responsibilities in the country.

He added that the vision is to deliver quality civic education to all Ghanaians, and to work towards sustaining Ghana’s democracy.

Mr Akolgo disclosed that as part of the Commission’s mandate, it was embarking upon a nationwide sensitization programme, with support from the European Union (EU), on the need for citizens to participate fully, especially women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), in governance.