The Third annual constitution week celebration in the Upper West Region began at Wa on Monday with a call on Ghanaians to have the courage to oppose any form of abuse and subversion of the constitution.

They could effectively do this if they begin to take keen interest in the laws of the country so that they could be well informed to counter any attempt by any group of people to overthrow it.

Mr Elias Bruttoh, a Legal Officer of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), said this at the launch of the Constitution Week at Wa.

He was speaking on the theme: "A Decade of Constitutionalism in Ghana; Strategies for Consolidation", organised by the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE).

Security personnel and their wives, members of various civil society organizations and market women, earlier in the day, went on a procession through the main streets of the town to launch the celebration.

Other activities lined up for the week include, launching of celebration in the districts, symposia, radio talk shows, public forums and panel discussions.

Mr Bruttoh said in order to consolidate the current democratic dispensation, Ghanaians must look back and assess how the various organs of state and independent constitutional bodies had functioned in the last 10 years and offer suggestions to correct lapses.

He said the constitutional provision that chiefs should not do partisan politics might be good in theory but in practice, it would not work.

Mr Bruttoh reminded party supporters that the constitution is an embodiment of tolerance, peace and unity.

Mr Justice Chiri Adamah, the Supervising High Court Judge at Wa, said violent conflicts tended to undermine the smooth functioning of the constitution.

''Constitutional provisions should be applied to bring unity, love and peace to the people,'' he said at the ceremony, which he co-chaired with Kworo Buktie Liman, Paramount Chief of Gwollu Traditional Area.

Kworo Liman, who is also a legal practitioner, told the participants to take issues concerning the constitution seriously because they were necessary for the progress of the nation.

Mr Dominic Donnir, Regional Director of the NCCE, called on Ghanaians to support the Commission by getting involved in the propagation of the constitution to build a lasting, stable and peaceful society.