Koforidua, May 5, GNA - The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHARJ), has called for state institutions to be strengthened to enable them to function effectively. Mr Dominic Hammond, an assistant legal officer of CHRAJ, who made the call, expressed worry that most institutions that were supposed to educate and safeguard the interest and protection of the rights of the citizens, were under resourced thereby making it difficult for them to function. He said the current proposal to amend the 1992 Constitution was in the right direction but said more emphasis must be placed on the strengthening of state institutions.

Mr Hammond said this at the launch of the 10th constitution week in Koforidua on Wednesday. He mentioned institutions such as CHRAJ, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Information Services Department (ISD) and some state media institutions that needed to be strengthened to enable them function effectively.

According to him, the constitution empowered the media to play a watchdog role for government and civil society, but because the institution was not adequately resourced, much could not be achieved. Mr Eric Bortey, Eastern Regional Director of the NCCE, said understanding the constitution made governance participatory and meaningful to the citizenry, who then trusted in the protection of their fundamental human rights.

The Omanhene of Akyem Bosome Traditional Area, Okotwasuo Oworae Kantamanto III, who chaired the function, also underscored the importance of understanding the constitution saying it was necessary to the growth of political governance. 5 May 10