Regional News of Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Source: GNA

Stop using abusive words on radio – NCCE

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has condemned the increasing use of abusive words in national discourse, especially, on radio and television networks, across the country.

Mr Stephen Y. Heymann, NCCE Officer-in-charge of the Ablekuma South-West Sub Metro Office (ASSMO), said the use of abusive words on the airwaves paved way for lawlessness and also set bad example for the youth.

Mr Heymann, therefore, urged the National Media Commission, the Ghana Journalists Association, and religious bodies to check the use of abusive language on air, stressing that, “We are destroying the moral fiber of the country”.

The NCCE Officer stated these during a tour of some schools within the Ablekuma South-West Metro, including the Evangelical Presbyterian School at Mamprobi.

The tour forms part of the 2015 National Citizenship Week Celebrations, which is on the general theme: “A Disciplined Ghana.”

The Citizenship Week Celebration is an annual event, organised by the NCCE across the country.

Mr Heymann advised the youth to eschew negative attitude and focus on their studies.

The NCCE Officer explained that the Citizenship Week is a platform to create awareness among the youth of the increased social indiscipline such as environmental degradation, violence, littering, corruption and disrespect for the elderly.

Mr Heymann noted that it was the responsibility of the NCCE to promote and sustain Ghana’s democracy and inculcate in the Ghanaian citizenry morals, emphasising, “It will be very sad if the issue of abusive language is not addressed”.

Ms Druscilla Lartey, NCCE Sub-Metro Head of Programmes, called on the pupils to be disciplined and patriotic towards their nation.

“For Ghana to develop, it behooves every citizen to be self-disciplined since that forms the foundation for success,” she stated.

Ms Lartey said the NCCE would continue to teach and join forces with other stakeholders to instill in the youth, “the true meaning of patriotism and the need to understand the cultural attachment to one's homeland or devotion to one's country”.

Ms Lartey said the citizenship week reminded young Ghanaians about their responsibilities as citizens and the role they ought to play to build a strong, vibrant and democratic Ghana.

She said the Commission had the mandate to promote and sustain Ghana's democracy and inculcate in the Ghanaian citizenry, the awareness of their rights and obligations through civic education.

"Citizenship week also creates a platform for people in leadership positions and accomplished citizens to interact and impart virtues of good citizenship to pupils in basic schools across the country," she said.