ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION VISITS NCCE

A five-member delegation from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission paid a courtesy call on the management of NCCE at the Head Office in Accra. The team from Zimbabwe came to familiarize themselves with the operations of the Commission and to learn about the mandate of the NCCE.

Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah, explained to the team the mandate of the NCCE as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. He said the Commission educates citizens on the principles and objectives of the Constitution of Ghana. He mentioned that the Commission is an independent body and does not subject itself to government control and interference. Mr. Asare Akuamoah over the years the NCCE has played an active role in sustaining Ghana’s democracy. This has been realized through its civic education programmes and activities. He disclosed to the team the number of national surveys conducted by the NCCE and NCCE’s contribution to nation-building. He added that NCCE’s research documents and findings continue to inform governments’ decisions on national policies and issues.

The Chief Human Right Officer, Karukai Ratsawka, and her team were thankful to the management of NCCE for their warm reception. She pointed out that because of the upcoming Zimbabwe elections in September 2018, it has become necessary for the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to consider civic education as one of its mandates. This will help the Commission educate the citizens of Zimbabwe on their political and civic rights adding that Zimbabwe currently does not educate citizens on their civic rights and responsibilities. She said in order to bridge the gap between citizens and civic education, her country has introduced a similar version of civic education called Heritage Status in Zimbabwe’s educational curriculum to educate citizens on their rights.

Deputy Chairmen, Commission members, and Directors at NCCE’s Head Office took turns to explain to the delegation the operations of each department as well as the work at the regional and district levels. Copies of the 1992 Constitution and research reports were presented to members of the delegation. The team was accompanied to NCCE by an official from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, CHRAJ, Ghana. Present at the meeting were Deputy Chairman, Ms. Kathy Addy, and Commission Member, Mrs. Sylvia Annoh.