NCCE Sene West District Sensitizes the Public on Civic Responsibility and Local Governance on Sene FM

The National Commission for Civic Education, NCCE, Sene West District, organized a media sensitization programme on Sene FM to educate the public on the establishment and purpose of the Commission, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the role of Unit Committee Members and Assembly Members in national development, as part of its ongoing efforts to deepen civic awareness, promote active citizenship among community members, and help listeners better understand the work of the NCCE and the contribution of local government structures to grassroots development.

The resource persons for the programme were Mr. Saviour Kwame Dogbe, a Volunteer at NCCE Sene West District, and Hon. Alhaji Salisu Faisal, Assembly Member and Presiding Member for the Sene West District Assembly. Through the discussion, the speakers enlightened listeners on key civic issues that are central to democratic governance and community participation.

Speaking on the establishment and purpose of the NCCE, Mr. Dogbe explained that the Commission exists to educate Ghanaians on their civic rights and responsibilities and to promote national unity, democracy, and constitutional rule. He noted that the NCCE plays an important role in helping citizens understand the principles and values that sustain the country’s democratic system. According to him, public education remains necessary to ensure that citizens are not only aware of their freedoms but also conscious of their duties toward the state and one another.

He further discussed the rights and responsibilities of citizens, stressing that every Ghanaian is entitled to rights such as life, education, freedom of expression, and participation in national affairs. At the same time, he emphasized that citizenship comes with obligations, including obeying the laws of the country, respecting public institutions, protecting public property, paying taxes, and contributing positively to community development. He encouraged listeners to see citizenship not merely as a legal status but as a commitment to responsible conduct and national progress.

The programme also highlighted the importance of local governance in national development. Mr. Saviour Kwame Dogbe explained that both Assembly Members and Unit Committee Members play important roles in promoting development at the community level. He noted that Assembly Members serve as a link between the people and the District Assembly by representing the concerns of their electoral areas, participating in decision making, and helping to initiate and support development projects.

He further explained that Unit Committee Members operate at the grassroots level and support community mobilization, communal labour, environmental sanitation, and local participation in development activities. According to him, although their work is often less visible, they remain essential in maintaining close contact with residents and promoting collective responsibility within communities.

Supporting the discussion, Hon. Alhaji Salisu Faisal stated that effective local governance depends on cooperation between elected representatives and the people they serve. He stressed that development becomes more meaningful and sustainable when community members take active interest in local issues and work closely with their local leadership structures.

The speakers stressed that national development cannot be achieved by government alone, but requires informed citizens, responsible local leadership, and active participation from all sectors of society. They therefore urged community members to take interest in local governance, cooperate with their elected representatives, and contribute meaningfully to initiatives that promote peace, order, and development.

The sensitization programme helped listeners to better understand the relationship between citizenship and governance, and reinforced the need for active citizenship and strong local leadership as essential foundations for national development.