Miss Doris Ocansey, Deputy Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has cautioned personnel of the security agencies not to allow themselves to be influenced by the people to perform duties other than those required of them by the constitution. She said hiring of the services of soldiers to collect debts, demolish houses, among other activities tarnish the image of the Ghana Armed Forces which is considered to be one of the most disciplined in the world.

Miss Ocansey's address was delivered on her behalf by Mr Kwaku Baa-Owusu, Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the NCCW, at a forces education al programme organised at Akyem Oda at the weekend by the Birim South Secretariat of the NCCE for members of the security services in the district.

She condemned the attitude of some members of the Police Service who aid and abet crimes by supplying criminals with weapons or uniforms and even give such criminals preferential treatment when in police custody. Miss Ocansey equally condemned prison officers who accept bribes or extort money from prisoners in order to give them preferential treatment..

She said the elimination of such bad practices would raise the image of the security services, restore public confidence in them as well as promote peace and stability, law and order for good governance. Mr Erasmus Gyinae, Oda District Magistrate, explained the various rights of the people such as the right to strike, demonstrate, freedom of the press, but said those rights have their limits.

Mr Samuel Antwi-Berko, a member of the consultative Assembly, stressed the need for political parties to be partially financed from state resources so that democracy could thrive.

In a welcoming address, Mr Kwaku Adu-Amankwah, District Director of the NCCE, appealed for sufficient civic education materials for distribution to the masses to enable them understand the constitution so that they could defend it at all times.