Accra: The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has paid a courtesy call on the Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho as part of efforts to deepen collaboration with key stakeholders within Ghana's governance architecture. The delegation, led by Rev Vincent Adzika, Ho Municipal Director of the NCCE, included staff from the Regional and Municipal offices of the Commission.
According to Ghana News Agency, Rev Adzika stated that the engagement is part of the Commission's nationwide consultations aimed at strengthening constitutional democracy under its 2026 theme: 'Upholding Our Constitution in a Digital Age: Our Collective Responsibility.' As Ghana's foremost civic education body, the NCCE is engaging institutions and opinion leaders to solicit their views on critical national issues to enrich its civic education programmes.
Rev Adzika expressed concern over rising indiscipline in second-cycle institutions and increasing incidents of violence linked to school sporting activities. He noted that school sports are meant to promote unity and sportsmanship, but instances of hooliganism and violence are undermining their purpose. Additionally, he highlighted the influx and abuse of hard drugs among the youth, which he described as a national menace requiring urgent and coordinated action.
He also raised concerns about security threats within the sub-region, noting that terrorist activities recorded in some neighbouring countries and the porous nature of borders demand vigilance from citizens and security agencies, including the Ghana Armed Forces.
Lt. Col. J.D. Ibrahim, Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment, commended the NCCE for its consistent engagement with the Regiment and reaffirmed the military's commitment to national stability. He mentioned that some instances of abuse of corporal punishment have led to human rights concerns, but appropriate and regulated disciplinary measures are necessary to maintain order in schools. He cautioned against adopting disciplinary policies from developed countries without considering Ghana's socio-cultural context.
On the issue of drug abuse, Lt. Col. Ibrahim described rehabilitation as costly and emphasized that prevention is more effective than cure. He warned that the hard drug problem is a complex challenge and stressed the need to break the supply chain to protect the youth and the future of the country.
Lt. Col. Ibrahim also identified sports betting addiction among the youth as a growing concern contributing to theft and other social vices. He underscored the importance of community intelligence in combating terrorism and violent extremism, urging citizens to share information on unusual movements in their communities.
The NCCE is currently engaging religious leaders, traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), the Ghana Police Service, and other institutional heads nationwide as part of its constitutional education drive.