Governance institutions staff must exhibit political neutrality - NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged staff in governance institutions to maintain political neutrality in their duties before, during, and after the upcoming December Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

Ms. Ophelia Nana Yaa Ankrah, the NCCE Eastern Regional Director, emphasised that neutrality is essential for these institutions, which hold a critical role in national governance.

"Their actions are crucial in today’s politically charged environment," she remarked, underscoring that governance staff provide a balanced role in the democratic process. “They must operate within legal frameworks and their constitutional mandate to ensure a fair and transparent election.”

Ms. Ankrah’s remarks came during an interview at the Eastern Regional NCCE Municipal and District Directors’ enhancement workshop in Koforidua. At the workshop, participants discussed non-partisan approaches to organising parliamentary candidate dialogues in the region, which aim to promote transparency and public trust.

Reinforcing the need for impartiality, Ms. Ankrah noted that governance staff must align their work with good governance principles of transparency, accountability, and neutrality. "Governance institutions are vital in upholding democracy and ensuring responsible, equitable power use," she said. "When staff in these institutions remain politically neutral, they create an environment of trust and credibility, which is crucial for effective governance."

She also highlighted the importance of resisting political pressure to prioritise the public interest and uphold the principles of good governance. “Strong leadership and a commitment to neutrality are necessary to ensure that governance institutions serve all citizens equally, regardless of political affiliations,” she added.

Meanwhile, the NCCE Eastern Regional Directorate is increasing its efforts to broaden democratic engagement in the region. Plans are underway to hold parliamentary candidate dialogues across all 33 municipalities and districts, offering candidates a platform to present their visions and accomplishments, listen to constituents’ concerns, and engage on issues of national and local importance. Ms. Ankrah explained that the dialogues align with the NCCE’s mandate to deepen democratic values and foster regional cohesion. “We are providing an avenue for voters to engage directly with parliamentary candidates on both constituency and national issues,” she said.

Mr. Augustine Bosrotsi, Deputy Eastern Regional Director, emphasised the importance of the directors conducting these dialogues effectively. He outlined essential components of the event, including involving media outlets, prominently displaying NCCE emblems at venues, and engaging key stakeholders such as Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) members to ensure the success of these engagements.