‘PUBLIC EDUCATION ON PEACE & SECURITY, A BIG DEAL FOR NCCE IN 2024’-NCCE BOSS

The Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms. Kathy Addy has received a four-member delegation from the United Nations (UN) at the Commission’s Head Office in Accra. The visit by the UN delegation is a routine familiarization visit to discuss issues of politics and peace building with relevant institutions like theNCCE. The UN acknowledges the critical role the Commission plays through its engagements with relevant stakeholders in promoting a peaceful democracy.

The Chairperson of NCCE, Ms. Addy welcomed the team and briefed the members about the work, structure and operations of the Commission. She highlighted the Commission’s thematic areas for its civic education drive and how over the years the Commission had partnered with other institutions and donors to undertake public education on issues of national interest. She cited ongoing projectswith the European Union (EU), which aretargeted at Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism in Ghana.

Ms. Addy underscored the need to prioritisecivic education in peacebuilding efforts especially as the country prepares for the 2024 general election.“Personally, and as a Commission, I believe we must take civic education seriously.The NCCE has intensified education and engagements on peace and good citizenship and continues to engage citizens to live in harmony with others. For us at NCCE, peace and security particularly in next year's Presidential and Parliamentary elections is a big deal for the Commission.’ She stressed.

According to Ms. Addy, the Commission will go all out to actively engage citizens and election stakeholders,especially political parties to uphold peace before, during and after the general elections.

The Director of Programmes at NCCE, Dr Imurana Mohammed was asked to outline the Commission’sfocus and activities fornext year and the general election. He mentioned among others,education on peace, voter education (why to vote), stakeholder consultations, debates, inter-party dialogues, youth engagements and inter-faith dialogues.

The Director of Research, Gender and Equality, Dr Henrietta Asante-Sarpong also touched on the Commission’s flagship research conducted every election season; “Matters of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter”.Research on what matters to the Ghanaian voter will also be carried out in 2024.

The UN representatives discussed with the NCCE Chair, possible collaborations especially in the areas of peace building and conflict resolution. The UN team also deliberated on areas NCCE might need support.

Representatives from the UN Office included Ecoma Alaga;Senior Political Affairs Officer, Manus Homer McCaffery;Associate Political Affairs Officer, Angeline Ngueojeu; Peace and Development Adviser and Dr. Mathias Ateng; Peace and Development Officer.

The NCCE was also represented by Commission Secretary, Mrs. Hewlette Annan, Director of Communications, Mrs. Joyce Afutu, Director of Programmes, Dr. Imurana Mohammed, Director of Research, Madam Henrietta Asante Sarpong and Deputy Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Rita Amparbin.