Ho, April 28, GNA - Mr Joseph Amenowode, Volta Regional Minister on Wednesday, urged the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) to endeavour to make Ghana's 1992 Constitution accessible to every Ghanaian in the country. He said this would empower every citizen with the opportunity to participate in the democratic governance of the country. Mr Amenowode said this in a speech read on his behalf at the Regional Launch of this year's Constitution Week in Ho. The celebration is under the theme: "Enhancing Constitutionalism through Effective Citizens' Participation for Good Governance." Mr Amenowode commended the NCCE for educating the populace on its civic responsibilities since its inception and urged the Commission to do more to get citizens to be interested in and be conversant with the country's Constitution.

He said government would uphold the principles of constitutionalism, good governance and democratic principles and called on other stakeholders especially the NCCE to do its bit and make the country an oasis of peace and a beacon of hope in the Sub-region.

Mr Fidelis Attoh, Volta Regional Director of NCCE observed that the country was better-off under constitutional rule as it was gradually driving the country from a low-income to a middle income status. He advised politicians and leaders to make the urban, town, zonal, area councils and unit committees functional to avoid "systemic failures." Mr Attoh said decentralization remained the surest way of job creation and rapid engagement of rural youth and urged government to implement the decentralization policy to the letter.

He urged government and all politicians to uphold the principles of good governance and ensure transparent and accountable leadership. Mr Ransford Ocloo, Regional Coordinator of the National Youth Council during open forum, expressed worry that elderly people including politicians were influencing the youth wrongly to resort to violence at the least provocation. He therefore urged the NCCE to educate the youth more on their civic responsibilities.