The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has solicited support from the media to drive home its mandate of creating awareness and educating the public about principles and objectives of the 1992 Constitution to enhance democracy and good governance.
The media’s role as enjoined in article 162 of the 1992 Constitution of the country is to uphold those principles and objectives by educating the public about their rights and responsibilities, and hold government accountable for actions and ensure peaceful co-existence and sustained democracy.
Mr George Sarpong, Executive Secretary, of the National Media Commission, made these remarks at a media advocacy workshop in Tamale, in the Northern Regional Capital, organised on September 01, 2020, by the Commission, with support from the European Union (EU).
The day event brought together selected media personnel from the five regions of the Northern Zone, namely Northern, Savannah , North- East, Upper East and Upper West Regions was on the theme; ” Effective Public Education on Environmental Governance and Amendment of Relevant Constitutional Provisions in Relation to Anti- Corruption Laws: The Role of the Media” .
The workshop was aimed at grooming the selected journalists to fully understand and appreciate the mandate of the Commission to be empowered to give adequate publicity to activities of the Commission as well as guide their content development and reportage on the theme.
It was also targeted at training the selected media practitioners to be the Commission’s ambassadors and join in its awareness creation activities of anti corruption and environmental governance.
He said the media in Ghana needed to be pro-active, know their rights and responsibilities, and the role of the NCCE, so as to help society to understand and appreciate the principles and objectives of the constitution.
He urged the media practitioners to adopt strategies in their fields of work to help reduce corrupt practices in the country and improve upon good environmental governance.
Ms Josephine Nkrumah, the Chairperson for the Commission in her welcome address stated that the NCCE and the media as independent bodies had great responsibilities to serve the people with objectivity and provide them the adequate information to make informed decisions.
she said, the media could help reduce the rate of corruption and ensure good leadership for a better country to live in by playing the “watchdog’s role.
The Chairperson therefore called for synergy between the Commission and the media fraternity to build the confidence of the public through education and the watchdog role, and added that it would enhance the democratic credentials of the nation.
Dr. Kojo Asante, Director of Advocacy and policy Engagement, CDD, Ghana said the media as the fourth estate of the realm in any political environment must be fearless in order to do the right thing, and called on the media to believe in their mandate.
Source: yagbonradioonline
