Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah , the Deputy Commissioner of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) wants the youth to take keen interest in the impending constitution review in Ghana.
According to him, the youth play a crucial role in the development of the country, hence the need to support efforts aimed at addressing the challenges of the 1992 Constitution.
Mr. Akuamoah stated that the review of the 1992 constitution was necessary to suit the current times coupled with the changing architecture of governance.
The Deputy NCCE Commissioner was speaking at a post-election violence workshop organized in the Okaikwei Central Constituency by the Okaikwei North Municipal NCCE with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and FCDO in Accra on Monday.
The workshop organized for out of school youths was to address the challenges of post-election violence in the Okaikwei Central Constituency.
However, Mr. Akuamoah urged the youth to safeguard Ghana’s democratic gains by strictly living by the dictates of the 1992 Constitution and the principles of rule of law.
He cautioned the youth against the negative use of the internet as a tool for causing mayhem in hitherto peaceful country.
Mr. Mawuli Agbenu, the Greater Accra Regional Director of NCCE noted that the youth are relevant stakeholders in the development of the nation.
Taking the participants through the effects of misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, mid-information and hate speech stated that it was about time the citizens had a firm understanding of the constitution of Ghana.
Mr. Agbenu intimated that misinformation, and disinformation could bring about institutional mistrust, widen divisions among ethnic groups, bring violence among others.
Mrs. Vivienne Achel, the Municipal Director of NCCE in the Okaikwei North Municipality in an address indicated that the aftermath of the 2024 general election has seen sporadic incidents of violence among youth activists, tarnishing Ghana’s reputation as a stable democratic state.
She said resolving these issues is essential to safeguarding the country’s democratic progress and preventing unrest from eroding its achievements.
Mrs. Achel explained that engaging the youth is a crucial and constructive approach to fostering community cohesion, promoting intergenerational dialogue, and reducing the risk of unrest.
Through these interactions, she said the young people will be empowered as ambassadors of peace, equipped with conflict resolution skills, and actively contribute to national development.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Bawa Abubakari, the Deputy District Commander of Tesano District Police applauded the Okaikwei North NCCE for the event and called for more of such programs to keep the youth informed on the need to protect Ghana’s peace especially after elections.
He said the youth must be patient with President John Dramani Mahama as he appoints his team to constitute the government stressing that the youth must support whoever is appointed for the development of the nation.
“Whoever is appointed is a Ghanaian, let us all pray and trust in that person that he would deliver…” he said.
ASP Bawa Abubakari again stressed the need for Ghanaians to trust institutions of state to deliver on their mandate particularly on election related disputes.
He advised Ghanaians to use the law courts to seek redress rather than taking the law into their hands.
He bemoaned the high rate of ammunition in civilian hands and the threats it poses to the peace and stability of the nation.
The days’ workshop was attended by some Assembly members of the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly, out of school youths and other identifiable groups in the Okaikwei Central Constituency.
By Kofi Yirenkyi