The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has launched its second edition of the University Civic Challenge, a constitution quiz/game competition on the Commission’s theme for the year: “Ghana, One People: Our Values, Our Sovereignty in Participatory Democracy” in Accra. Twenty (20) selected universities across the country will participate in this competition.
Ms. Josephine Nkrumah, Chairman of the NCCE, in her welcome address said, the NCCE has always seen students of tertiary institutions as an important constituency in Ghana’s constitutional democratic dispensation. Ms. Nkrumah added that through different strategies to reach out to the citizenry, the Commission has sought to involve students in our activities to inculcate civic consciousness in them. She recounted that, on 30th August 2017, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo launched the maiden edition of the University Civic Challenge and urged the students to strengthen their knowledge in matters affecting our constitution. She explained that understanding the constitution and knowing the content will ensure that students understand national values.
Ms. Kathleen Addy, Deputy Chairman, Finance, and Administration in her opening remarks enumerated the objectives, structure, and how activities would be implemented. She further explained that the University Civic Challenge will commence with Intra-School Selection Competitions, followed by Zonal and Super-Zonal Competitions and Semi-Finals. Ms. Addy added that the competitions would be crowned with a Debate at the Grand-Finale.
The Deputy Minister of Information, Mr. Pius Enam Hadzide stated that contrary to the cliché that the youth are the future leaders, he believes the youth are the leaders of today because the future is now. He indicated that this gives cause to sensitizing the youth to be actively involved in the practice of democracy to enhance citizen participation. The Deputy Information Minister said he was of the conviction that the NCCE has taken a step in the right direction by implementing the University Civic Challenge among tertiary students.
Mr. Eric Pwaduro, a representative from Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) restated GNPC’s unwavering commitment and continued sponsorship of the competition and encouraged the students to put in their best. He reiterated that the GNPC believes that the University Civic Challenge provides an excellent platform for students to understand the constitution better.
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