Accra, Oct. 24, GNA - The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) would continue to create a platform for an increased and sustained interest for participation of all Ghanaians in the new multi-party democratic dispensation, a senior official of the Commission said on Tuesday.

"For the achievement of good governance, social and political stability for national unity and development, there is an urgent need for increased citizens' civic participation and adherence to the tenets of constitutionalism," The Greater Accra Regional Director of the Commission, Mrs Doris Acheampong said at the launch of the Condensed Ghana 1992 Constitution booklet in Accra.

The 43-page document encompasses briefs of the 26 Chapters of the 1992 Constitution with particular focus on Chapter Five, Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.

It was published by the Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa (LAWA-Ghana) Alumnae Incorporated, a legal advocacy non-governmental organisation in collaboration with Georgetown University Law Centre of USA.

Mrs Acheampong said the Commission, in collaboration with civil society, was working hard through civic education to defuse political tension and appealed to journalists, social commentators and civil society groupings to be circumspect in their pronouncements. She noted that there was an urgent demand for information and knowledge by Ghanaians to speed up economic growth for the sustenance of multi-party democracy and constitutionalism.

Mrs Acheampong, therefore, tasked the Media to adopt pragmatic programmes aimed at sensitising and educating the general public on the Constitution and how it affected them.

Mrs Sheila Minkah-Premo, LAWA Chairperson, expressed concern about the attitude of Ghanaians, who considered the Constitution as the prerogative and sacred document for only the Judiciary. She described it as a wrong assumption saying whatever happened to the Constitution had a direct repercussion on the life of every citizen. Mrs Minkah-Premo said it was, therefore, paramount for every citizen to cherish, adore and protect his or her country's Constitution.

She stressed that constitutional rule and democracy would only thrive in a proactive civic society supported by a vibrant, free and independent Media and Judiciary and in a society where individuals were alive to their responsibilities and ready to assert their rights.

"Indeed, it is important that the Ghanaian community should develop, strengthen and institutionalise the culture of constitutionalism in the hearts and minds of all, irrespective of age or sex."

Mrs Barbara Ayesu, LAWA-Ghana Coordinator, commended the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy for sponsoring the publication. 24 Oct. 06