NCCE facilitates Aspire Model Int. School’s Visit to Ghana’s Parliament

The National Commission for Civic Education is noted for its mandate of sustaining Ghana’s Democracy. In a demonstration of commitment to this course, the Commission has facilitated an educational visit to the Parliament of Ghana by the Aspire Model International School, located in Pantang, a suburb of the Ga East Municipality in the Greater Accra Region.

In the company of some teachers, the young learners were directed to the Parliamentary Visitor’s Centre (PVC), which is the first reception point for visitors to Ghana’s House of Legislature. An officer from the Public Affairs Department (the Department manning the centre), Ms. Bless Ruth Adjetey, extended a warm welcome to the school and outlined what to expect on their visit to this arm of government.

The visitors were later directed to the main building, which houses the Chamber where members of Parliament meet for legislative duties. Subsequent to security clearance, the school was escorted to the gallery of the Chamber, referred to as the Public Gallery. This is the space allocated to visitors interested in witnessing live proceedings in the Chamber. The Public Engagement Department then took over and ushered the school to the Public Gallery.

Prior to taking a seat in the public gallery, the students were briefed on the rules of conduct, chief among them was the prohibition of clapping within the confines. Alternatively, however, according to an officer from the Public Engagement Department, Ms. Rebecca Christiana Hutchful, the show of support for or appreciation of an action or deed is by chanting “Hear, Hear”.

In a single file, the visitors made an entry into the Public Gallery, where they received insights into the various components within the chamber, including the sitting areas for the majority and minority caucuses, the Marshal, the Clerk to Parliament, and the Speaker of Parliament.

The students were given the opportunity to ask as many questions as they could and seek clarity when necessary, enabling them to return with clear minds devoid of misconceptions and misconstrue. The glaringly elated young learners pledged to share with their family and friends the lessons they had learnt from the encounter.