Duties of a citizen

Today, we devote our editorial to some provisions in the Directive Principles of State Policy. Article 34 Clause (1) of the Constitution says: “The Directive Principles of State Policy contained in this chapter shall guide all citizens, Parliament, the President, the Judiciary, the Council of State, the Cabinet, political parties and other bodies and persons in applying or interpreting this Constitution or any other law and in taking and implementing any policy decisions for the establishment of a just and free society.”

The provisions in this chapter have outlined the duties and obligations of all, including our President, in our efforts at building an economically viable and free society.

Somehow, some of our compatriots have abandoned their obligations and developed attitudes that suggest that they are not part of nation-building efforts. In effect, they prefer to sit on the fence, even in these trying times.

In this ‘I-don’t-care’ posture, they can be heard publicly saying, ‘Ye ma yenhwe’, to wit “we are watching”. 

But they are the first to criticise the government for not doing much to fix the problems.

The Daily Graphic thinks that the only way the people can enjoy better standard of living is a change in attitude to work, and how they treat public property, among other national values and principles.

Article 41 of the Constitution sums up the obligations and responsibilities of all Ghanaians and those who live in Ghana.

It states: “The exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms is inseparable from the performance of duties and obligations and, accordingly, it shall be the duty of every citizen:

(a) to promote the prestige and good name of Ghana and respect the symbols of the nation;

(b) to uphold and defend this Constitution and the law;

(c) to foster national unity and live in harmony with others;

(d) to respect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of others and generally to refrain from doing acts detrimental to the welfare of other persons;

(e) to work conscientiously in his lawfully chosen occupation;

(f) to protect and preserve public property and expose and combat misuse and waste of public funds and property;

(g) to contribute to the well-being of the community where that citizen lives;

(h) to defend Ghana and render national service when necessary;

(i) to co-operate with lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order;

(j) to declare his income honestly to the appropriate and lawful agencies and to satisfy all tax obligations; and

(k) to protect and safeguard the environment.

The Daily Graphic thinks the solutions to our problems lie in our carrying out these duties conscientiously.