The second batch of district directors of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) from the Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo Regions have participated in an information sharing/training workshop organised to sensitise them on the accountability, rule of law and anti-corruption programme (ARAP) in Kumasi.
The first was organised from February 18 to 21, 2018. In a correspondence, the NCCE explained that the ARAP seeks to promote good democratic governance in Ghana by implementing strategies to reduce corruption to the minimum and improving accountability and compliance with the rule of law.
Under the programme, NCCE plans to “undertake campaigns, advocate and lobby for increased accountability and reduction in corruption and to conduct civic education and create awareness on accountability.”
About 240 staff of the Commission in all the 216 administrative districts of Ghana are expected to participate in the series of the information sharing/training workshops which are being undertaken in collaboration with the European Union (EU). The district directors will, in turn, build the capacity of other staff on the exercise.
Samuel Akuamoah, the Deputy Chairman of the NCCE in-charge of operations, in his speech at the opening ceremony last Friday, said ARAP was born out of the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) which has been endorsed by parliament for implementation by governments of Ghana.
He advised his staff to build integrity which is one of NCCE’s core values, considering the various high profile stakeholders they will work with to achieve great success.
Under ARAP, the NCCE will work with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the judicial service, district assemblies, traditional authorities and communities.
“If you are going into this project with a questionable integrity, then it is better we stay off,” Samuel Akuamoah cautioned.
He charged the participants to ensure there is absolute internal transparency and get staff to actively work in collaboration with stakeholders in their districts.
The NCCE deputy boss reminded the directors of the enormous work at hand which is crucial to the sustainability of Ghana’s democracy and its international image.
He warned them to be tactical in avoiding unnecessary confrontations with powerful people and institutions they may encounter in the discharge of their duties.
Participants for the third training workshop will be drawn from the Western, Central and Greater Accra Regions, while the fourth group will be from the Eastern, Volta and the rest from Greater Accra Regions to be held at Kwahu Pepease in the Eastern Region between February 26 and March 6, 2018.
FROM James Quansah, Kumasi