The Obuasi office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has organized a day’s workshop for Youth Activists of Political Parties in Obuasi.
The workshop which was held on Tuesday, 6th September, 2016 was under the theme “Ensuring Violent free Elections, Transparent and A Peaceful Political Environment Before, During and After the Elections” had the Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi, the Municipal Crime Officer, Regional Officers of NCCE, The Municipal Electoral Officer youth activists of political parties, opinion leaders and the media in attendance.
In his welcome address, the Obuasi Municipal Director of National Commission of Civic Education, Mr. Emmanuel Duah Attobrah said an election can only be described as successful when it is generally considered as free and fair and peaceful before, during and after the elections. This he said cannot be achieved without the active involvement of N.C.C.E through public education and sensitization. He, however, praised the European Union for supporting the programme.
Speaking on behalf of the Ashanti Regional Director of National Commission for Civic Education, Mr. Arthur Wilson, the Deputy Regional Director of NCCE said, though the country has successfully held six (6) general elections in the fourth (4th) republic, it is still important to preach peace ahead of this year’s elections.
Mr. Wilson mentioned chapter 5 and chapter 6 of the 1992 constitution which talks about respect of one’s fundamental human rights and directive principles of state policy as two very important chapters of the constitution. He appealed to political parties especially the youth to respect one another’s rights and promote political tolerance.
He advised the youth to eschew the habit of doing the bidding of mischievous politicians who seek their parochial interest as against the broad national interest. “As at now there are 29,000 polling stations with about 5,000 of them considered as flashpoints, we must guard against the incidences of ‘machoism’ in our body politics since it has the tendency of breaching the existing peace in the country ” the Deputy Director of N.C.C.E ended.
Mr. Kofi Darteh of the Electoral Commission, Obuasi seized the opportunity to educate the participants on the processes involved in elections which include writing of names, facilitation of biometric processes, continuous registration, exhibition and appointment of returning officers. All these processes he said have been concluded by the Commission and expressed the Electoral Commissioner’s readiness for the task ahead.
The Municipal Crime Officer, Superintendent Francis Antwi Boasiako who represented the Municipal police commander quoted Act 491 (public order Act) of the 1992 Constitution and said various political parties who desire to organize any special event such as procession, street jams and keep fit walk must notify the police five clear days before the event with the venue, date and proposed route clearly stated.
Superintendent Arthur Boasiako made it clear that organizers of such events would be found liable when there is a breach of public peace as a result of their activities.
Honorable Richard Ofori Agyeman Boadi, the Municipal Chief Executive for Obuasi who is also the Parliamentary candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Obuasi East Constituency also pledged his personal commitment and that of the Municipal Security Council’s (MUSEC) commitment to ensure peace before, during and after the general election.
SIGNED
(SAMPSON MANU)
MUNICIPAL INFORMATION OFFICER

THE REGIONAL INFORMATION OFFICER
INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT
KUMASI