ECOWAS Pre-Election facts finding Delegation visits NCCE

Representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have visited the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in Accra on a pre-election fact-finding mission.

The meeting discussed NCCE's readiness for election 2024 and sought to find out civic and voter education programmes and activities before, during and after the 2024 general election.

The Chairman of the NCCE, Ms. Kathleen Addy, briefed the delegation on the Commission’s structure, Programmes and its commitment to rally citizens especially the youth to participate actively in the upcoming elections.

She also reiterated and stressed four (4) pillar agenda for driving civic education this year. She mentioned fake news, electoral violence, money in politics and religious tolerance.

The Commission, Ms. Addy said, has begun rolling out its Inter-Party Dialogue Committee (IPDC) meetings (a conflict-resolution mechanism at the grassroots), consisting of representatives of traditional leaders, national security services, political parties and faith-based organisations, to mention a few.

Ms. Addy stated that the Commission is currently having political consultations with political parties in Ghana ahead of this year’s elections.

She also disclosed that the NCCE’s ‘Matters of Concern to the Ghanaian Voter’, a publication produced from a national survey to inform decision-makers on policy and other relevant matters as citizens.

The Director of Programmes, Dr. Imurana Mohammed affirmed that civic education is a shared responsibility and therefore collaboration with other institutions like the national security services is crucial. This, he said, is how the Commission works, particularly since education needs enforcement to be effective.

The delegates showed appreciation for the work of the NCCE and looked forward to future collaborations to promote and sustain the agenda of peace across the country.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Chairman in Charge of General Services, Victor Brobbey, and some line Directors; Administration, Finance and the Deputy Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs.

Representatives from the ECOWAS were Serigne M. KA, Laureuterie Daio, Constaut Gnacasea, Marcella Samba-Sesay and James Aji.