The “Project Citizen Ghana,” being implemented in schools by the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) has made a significant impact on the youth of the country.

Most speakers at the “Project Citizen Showcase day” held on Friday at the Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School in the Upper East Region attested to the fact that the project has had a great impact on the youth of the area.

The day saw five Senior High schools in the Region identifying and gathering information on problems that needed public policy solutions in their communities, as well as researching, finding alternative; solutions and proposing their own policies on how those challenges could be resolved.

The essence of the Project is to empower students to learn how to develop public policies to solve community problems. Also, to learn how citizens can have the power to monitor and influence public policy making in the community and develop intellectual and participatory skills that promote authentic research, critical thinking, effective communication and reflective thinking.

The project would help the students to develop a democratic disposition that encourages the exercise of fundamental rights and responsibilities with commitment and confidence.

The Upper East Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr Pontius Pilates Apaabey Baba, commended the GES and teachers in the various schools in the region, where the project was being implemented.

He said some of the key findings after the implementation of the Project Citizen Ghana revealed that a majority of students believed they could make a difference in their communities, adding that, it had been established that through the project implementation, students had developed a better understanding of public policy and the challenges facing policy makers, and how their government works.

“Students develop important research and communication skills, including interest in democracy.” the Regional Director indicated.

The National Coordinator of the NCCE in charge of the Project Citizen Ghana, Ms Dora Hammond, on her part said, most students who had been trained through the project had become good public speakers and their confidence level also boosted, adding that, majority of them had also become good researchers.

She said her outfit would continue to organize the programme in the various schools in the country and appealed to all stakeholders particularly the GES and teachers to continue supporting the project.

The Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School emerged winners of the competition with 211 points followed by the Zuarungu Senior High School with 106 points.

The third, fourth and fifth positions went to Rock Foundation Senior High School with 82 points, Zemse Technical Senior School, 79 points and the Bolgatanga Senior High Technical 68 points, respectively.

The Bolgatanga Girls Senior High School would represent the Region at the National competition next year.