The abridged 1992 constitution in 24 Ghanaian languages was launched last week friday at Nwodua, near Tamale, by Mr. Issah Ketekewu, Deputy Northern Regional Minister with a call for more educational programmes to reinforce their impact on the Ghanaian society.

The books were in Kasem, Buli, Sisaala, Sisaala-Paasaal, Tampulma, Kusaal, Konkomba, Vagla, Bimoba, Koma and Farefare. The rest were in Dagbani, Hanga, Gonja, Nafaara, Mampruli, Adele, Birifo, Anufo, Gichode, Chumburung, Ginawuri, Bassan and Deg.

The translations were carried out by the Literacy Project Staff of the 24 languages of the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Lieteracy and Bible Translation (GILLBT) and funding for the 24 translations and an additional six other translations to be launched in the Volta Region, which cost one million dollars, were provided by four donor organisations.

They were the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Department for International Development (DFID) of the UK, Tear Fund and the Jerusalem Trust. GILLBT has printed 200,000 copies of the 24 translations so far.

Mr Ketekewu said whilst the abridged versions of the constitution led to its simplication to enhance reading and understanding by the vast majority of Ghanaians, repeated educational programmes were needed to sensitise the people on its basics.

He described the translations as "a step in the right direction," saying, "the publishing of the abridged version of the constitution in local languages has come to provide our people with a quick and easy access to the salient provisions of the constitution."

"Knowledge and understanding of the basic things in the constitution by the citizenry is a pre-requisite to participatory democracy and good governance," he observed. The Deputy Minister commended GILLBT, which has been publishing materials in 50 per cent of the 63 indigenous Ghanaian languages for producing a great deal of local literature.

Mr Ketekewu also commended the institute for its "Women In Literacy Development (WILD)" programme, under which women are provided with credit facilities. He said government would continue to provide a conducive environment for non-governmental organisations to operate and flourish to contribute their quota towards development.

He called on the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), NGOs and religious bodies to intensify their efforts at encouraging women to participate in active politics, adding, "decision-making at the assemblies has become gender bias because they are male-dominated."

Mr Justin Frimpong, Director of GILLBT, in a speech read on his behalf, described the translations "as a historical milestone" and congratulated all the literacy teams, the press and staff who made the translations a reality.

He said whilst the constitution provided for equal rights for all citizenry, irrespective of social status, many Ghanaians could never appreciate and defend their rights unless they had the constitution in a language they could understand.

Mr Frimpong said since the constitution did not only protect citizens from arbitrary rule but also delineated their responsibilities, the translation of the abridged constitution was of enormous importance to socio-economic development.

"We all know a government of the people, by the people and for the people will only work in practice when each citizen takes his social and political responsibilities seriously and works hard at them." Mr Frimpong said an informed public was the best antidote to dictatorship and rule by might.

In addition, as ordinary Ghanaians come to understand the constitution better, they would strive to contribute to the socio-economic and political change necessary for Ghana to move forward in peace and stability, he said.