Bolgatanga: The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has called upon the youth of Ghana to embrace responsible citizenship by actively holding public officials accountable. This initiative aims to bolster democratic governance and intensify efforts against corruption.
According to Ghana News Agency, the NCCE emphasized the significant role that young people, who form a substantial part of Ghana's population, play in enhancing transparency, ethical leadership, and adherence to the rule of law. Mr. Augustine Akugri, Deputy Upper East Regional Director of the NCCE, addressed these points at a Youth Leaders' Empowerment Dialogue held at Bolgatanga Technical University. The dialogue was part of the Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption, a section of the Participation, Accountability, and Integrity for a Resilient Democracy (PAIReD) Programme.
This project, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), is being executed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance. The NCCE serves as an implementing partner in this initiative.
Mr. Akugri highlighted ongoing governance challenges in Ghana, such as corruption, conflict of interest, influence peddling, and weak adherence to ethical standards, which continue to undermine public confidence and equitable national development. He stressed the necessity for citizens, especially the youth, to demand public accountability and respect for the rule of law.
The Youth Leaders' Empowerment Dialogue aims to provide youth leaders with practical knowledge about public accountability, anti-corruption, ethical leadership, transparency, and the rule of law. This knowledge is intended to empower them to effect positive behavioral change within their communities.
Mr. Akugri encouraged youth participation in governance discussions, urging them to ask critical questions, share experiences, and advocate for ethical leadership. He called on young people to become champions of integrity, accountability, and responsible citizenship, striving to hold themselves and others to high ethical standards.
The dialogue is part of a broader nationwide initiative set to occur across all 16 regional capitals and at the national level, aiming to enhance youth leaders' capacity to promote transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law within their communities.
Reverend Father Dr. Augustine Ayaga, who facilitated the training, emphasized the importance of the rule of law, warning that its absence could lead to chaos, instability, abuse of human rights, and underdevelopment. While the youth acknowledged their responsibilities, they also urged for the strengthening of law enforcement agencies through adequate resources and independent appointments to enhance transparency and independence.