Kumasi, Nov 23, GNA - Madam Augustina Akosua Akumanyi, Deputy Chairperson of Finance and Administration of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), has advised the youth to learn of the constitution diligently to help them abide by its tenets.

She said the document should rekindle their spirit of patriotism and nationalism to "uphold and defend" the good name of Ghana even at the peril of their lives.

Madam Akumanyi was addressing a section of Senior High School students in Kumasi at the seventh Annual Regional Constitution Games Championship. This year's celebration is dubbed: "Encouraging the youth to learn the constitution through games." The programme, which started in 2001, is part of the Commission's strategic plan to encourage the youth in and outside school to learn the constitution. Additionally, the initiative is also to make learning the document in the classroom more interesting.

"You must always stand for honesty while doing away with morally reprehensible behaviours and resisting corruption, a canker eating into the fabric of society and stalling development," she emphasized. Madam Akumanyi called on the youth to respect one another, irrespective of one's ethnicity, religion, financial status and position. Mr Yakubu Alhassan, Ashanti Regional Director of the NCCE, said it was incumbent on the youth to be conversant with the constitution to be abreast of governance, civic rights and responsibilities. He said the 1992 constitution, which is the blue print for governing Ghana, needed to be at the finger tips of especially the youth to enable them to become more aware of their civil rights and be assertive. Mr Alhassan stated that out of the seven zones, which took part in the competition, 14 schools emerged winners, out of which one winner would represent the region nation-wide.

He appealed to the public for sponsorship to keep the programme running. Mrs Gladys Amaning, The Kumasi Metropolitan Director of Education, who presided over the ceremony, told the participating schools to use the knowledge acquired through education to impact positively on their communities. The participating SHS were; Adventist Girls, T.I Ahmadiya Girls-Asokore, Dompoase, Prempeh College, Toase, Konadu Yiadom, Maabang, Obuasi Secondary Technical, Wesley High, Afia Kobi, Amaniapong, Dwamena Akenteng, Asanteman and Agogo State College. Prempeh College in Kumasi emerged the over-all winner and would represent the region. 23 Nov. 10