Let’s arrest canker of indiscipline, social vices— NCCE Chair

The Chairperson of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Ms Josephine Nkrumah, has stated that unless the canker of indiscipline and other social vices are arrested, Ghanaians will be unable to enjoy the fruits of democracy.

She said indiscipline and other negative vices, such as apathy and unpatriotic attitudes, had grown to such proportions that they had become pervasive in daily Ghanaian lives.

Ms Nkrumah was speaking at the 2017 Project Citizen Showcase competition among civic education clubs in the Greater Accra Region last Wednesday.

It was on the theme, “Restoring our Ghanaian values: The role of the youth in nation-building.”

Project Citizen

Supported by the European Union (EU), Project Citizen was initiated in 2006 to inculcate into students, Ghanaian values.

It promotes active citizenship among them by providing the platform for them to team up, dialogue and discuss current social, economic and political challenges for solutions.

The project organises students in civic clubs, where they engage one another, their communities and public officials on issues of concern for solutions.

Theme

Opening the Greater Accra Regional Showcase, Ms Nkrumah said the theme chosen for the year resonated with all Ghanaians.

She stated that positive national values such as patriotism and discipline contributed enormously to the success of democracy.

According to her, the values underpinned in the country’s national anthem define the common heritage of Ghanaians.

Ms Nkrumah urged leaders to walk the talk and blaze a trail for the youth.

She urged all adults to also ensure that the youth had a normal growth process with the right values, and asked for collective action in ensuring national unity.

She expressed her gratitude to the EU and the Ghana Education Service (GES) for their support of the project.

Active citizens

The acting Regional Director of the NCCE, Ms Mercy Essien, in her remarks said Project Citizen remained an important segment of the NCCE’s programmes.

She said promoting active citizenship among students, the project furnished them with the appropriate coaching and training prior to the identification of issues and research for solutions.

Ms Essien indicated that the project had broadened the insight of students into contemporary political, social and economic issues.

Five

Five schools took part in the 2017 Project Citizen Accra Regional Showcase.

The schools are the Ningo Senior High School, the Accra Academy Senior High School, the Armed Forces Senior High School, the Ghana Libya Senior High School and the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School.

All the schools presented portfolios spelling out their views on the theme, the challenges inherent in it and the public policy solutions identified.

Writer’s email: caroline.boateng@graphic.com.gh