The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is challenging the youth of Ghana to own the development process by being active citizens.
Speaking to Asaase News on the sidelines of a forum organised by the Center for Democracy and Socio-economic Development (CDS Africa) at the University of Ghana, the secretary for the NCCE, Lucille Hewlett Annan, said, “Yes, you need the power to make big changes, but you also don’t need any power to make small changes. If they are in a community and there are certain things going on in your community, you can help,” she said.
“NCCE, we have a project, we call social auditing. In that way, we find out, what are the issues in your community? What are the challenges that you have in your community? Find ways that you can solve the problem. If there is a big problem in the community, you can solicit for funds and solve it.”
“You don’t need to be an MP before you do that. So we are encouraging the youth, and we want to see your participation. We want you to participate in national issues at whatever level that you can.”
The head of the Political Science Department at the University of Ghana, Alidu Seidu, also urged the youth to actively participate in Ghana’s democratic process. He said one principal way in which the youth can participate is to ensure they vote in the December polls.
“When we talk about democracy, attributing the operational fine democracy, we are actually referring to the rule that we, the citizens, play in the democratic process. We can waste it, we can exhaust it, and we can meditate. The only way we can let democracy self-sustain and not commit suicide is to participate regularly in the democratic process.”, he noted.
The Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, also made a case for the involvement of the youth in policy making.
“As CDS mission statement clearly depicted, they believe democracy is the key to building a fair, peaceful, and inclusive society. So therefore, it beholds on all stakeholders to create an enabling environment for the youth to participate in the democratic process towards building a healthy and a vibrant nation.”
She suggested among others, voter education, youth-led organisations, social media campaigns, internships and fellowships, youth friendly political events and Inclusive political parties as some strategies available in deepening youth participation in democratic process.
The forum was aimed at enhancing youth engagement in the democratic process.
CDS Africa democracy forums
CDS Africa is embarking on a mission this year to enhance youth engagement in the democratic process through a series of Democracy Forums at various university campuses nationwide. The three series engagements commenced at GIMPA Law School and Wisconsin International University College on the theme “Deepening Youth Participation in the Democratic Process.”
The climax of the forum was at the University of Ghana on Friday, 31 May 2024.
Reporting by Philip Abutiate in Accra
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Azay FM 89.1 (Takoradi), Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
