EXERCISE RESTRAINT WHEN PROVOKED - NCCE ADMONISHES SECURITY SERVICES

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has admonished the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to exercise restraint when provoked by civilians. This was on the occasion of its 2023 Annual Constitution Week celebration, commemorated every year from 28th April, since 2001. The theme for this year’s celebration is, “Thirty Years of Consolidating Constitutional Democracy: Building National Cohesion through Civic Education and Participation in Local Governance”.

Mr. Samuel Asare Akuamoah, the Deputy Chairman of Operations, NCCE the main speaker, recounted the trajectory of the nation’s constitutional rule since 1960. He urged participants not to be complacent about the freedom we enjoy today. “Anybody who abuses the Constitution in any form has murdered because it is a living document. People lost their lives for this cause”, he remarked. He added that there are genuine causes for reforms but that does not warrant the contravention of the 1992 Constitution. Whatever reforms we are seeking should stand the test of time. Officers and men of the Ghana National Fire Service were urged to be professional in dealing with civilians and in turn, cautioned civilians to respect the dignity of the Security Services because, where one’s right ends, another person’s begin.

Also, participants were reminded of their civic duty to actively participate in the upcoming District Level Elections (DLE). He further entreated the officers to support the Commission in the fight against the threats of violent extremism and terrorism, as its spillover effects in neighbouring countries such as Burkina Faso and La Cote D’Ivoire.

Contributing during the open forum, the Commanding Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Headquarters, ACFO1 James Oheneba Yaw Kwarteng emphasized the need for officers to act with decorum especially regarding prank calls, as the GNFS receives at least 500 prank calls daily.

In a related development, Lucille Hewlett Annan (Esq.) (Acting Commission Secretary) reminded citizens that ignorance of the law is no excuse. As a result, citizens have to study and know the laws that govern them, both at the local and national levels to enable them to defend themselves in all circumstances. “We must also familiarize ourselves with the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999)”, she added.

In his concluding remarks, the Deputy Chairman, Operations reiterated the need for all to be minded that Ghana has experienced military regimes which could not be sustained, and handed over power to civilians; political parties have come and gone, but Ghana is still Ghana. Against this backdrop, it is imperative to be tolerant and professional in the face of provocations from the public.

In attendance were Lucille Hewlett Annan (Esq.), Acting Commission Secretary, Henrietta Asante-Sarpong (Ph.D), the Director of Research, Gender and Equality, Mrs Joyce Afutu, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs and Imurana Mohammed (Ph.D), Director of Programmes all of NCCE.

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