NCCE’s civic education clubs: impacts, challenges, way forward

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) serves as a constitutional pillar in Ghana, with a mandate to enhance public understanding of constitutional democracy and governance.

By fostering civic education, the NCCE aims to build stable political, economic, and social environments.

One of its critical initiatives is the formation of Civic Education Clubs (CEC), designed to engage young people in discourse regarding the 1992 Constitution, helping them internalize its principles and objectives as the nation’s core legal framework.

Origin of Civic Education Clubs

The inception of Civic Education Clubs could be traced back to March 1996, during the National Consultative Conference on Civic Education organised by the NCCE.

The formal launch of the Civic Education Clubs took place at Accra Academy in March 1996, with five Schools-Accra Academy, Achimota School, Accra High, Ebenezer Secondary, and PRESEC, Legon-coming together to celebrate the inauguration of the clubs across the country.

This conference provided a platform for stakeholders to articulate the need for civic education, culminating in a final communiqué that birthed the CEC initiative.

Membership in these clubs is non-partisan and open to all Ghanaians, with minimum requirement of twenty members to form a club.

Each club appoints a Patron from within its institution and elects Executives, including a Chairman, Secretary, Organiser, and Treasurer, to oversee club activities.

Methods of engaging Civic Education Club (CEC) Members

The NCCE utilizes a variety of engaging activities to involve CEC members, including debates, quizzes, reading activities, mock parliament, interactive learning tools such as Constitution Game Board, E-Constitution Game, Project Citizen Showcase, events and forums (symposia, durbars, conferences, what-do-you-know, civic-fest, among others).

Statistics on active CECs: Data and insight released by the Programmes Department of NCCE at the Head Office as of June 2025 showed that; there are 42 CECs at the Tertiary level, 457 at the SHS level and well over 4,000 at the Basic School level across the country.

This growth reflects the importance and relevance of civic education in schools.

Impacts of CECs on Youth Development

The interviews conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) highlighted the positive influence civic engagement has had on the youth involved in these clubs.

The transformative experiences reported by club members underscored the educational and personal growth derived from active participation.

Testimonial from Master Joel Aneadegyie, the President of Kadjebi-Asato Senior High School (KASEC) CEC in the Oti Region emphasised the value of understanding both rights and responsibilities as a citizen.

His advocacy for community change demonstrates how the knowledge gained through CEC translates into actionable behaviour.

Mr. Issifa Kwame Shadrach, the KASEC CEC Patron, noted a significant correlation between CEC membership and academic performance in Government studies.

He stated that members of the club tend to perform better than non-members, suggesting that the educational activities and discussions within the clubs enhance their understanding and retention of political and civic knowledge.

Mr. Matthew Enam Abotsi, Dzodze-Penyi Senior High School (DZOSEC) CEC Patron in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region, emphasised the importance of practical experiences, noting that the club regularly organises excursions to Parliament and engages with Members of Parliament (MPs) and other officials.

These interactions provide club members with firsthand insights into the workings of Parliament and various arms of government.

He stated that such exposures significantly broaden members’ perspectives and have a profound influence on their career aspirations.

Madam Vera Esinam Dzotefe, a former DZOSEC CEC Secretary and University Graduate, highlighted the transformative nature of participating in the Project Citizens Showcase, a flagship programme of the NCCE.

She noted that the club’s engagement with this initiative fosters critical-thinking abilities among members, enabling them to conduct in-depth research and articulate their ideals effectively.

Mr. Fuseini Seidu, Garu D/A Junior High School (JHS) CEC Patron in the Upper East Region, emphasised that CECs are nurturing a new generation of informed citizens poised to effect meaningful change in society.

Many club members report increased confidence in expressing their views and initiating discussions on local government matters.

This newfound confidence translates to greater participation in community events, including local elections and town hall meetings, indicating a shift towards more active civic engagement.

The interview underscored the crucial role Civic Education Clubs play in empowering young people, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate society effectively to their communities.

As these clubs continue to grow, their influence on personal and collective development remains apparent and vital for fostering active civic engagement.

Challenges Faced by Civic Education Clubs

Civic Education Clubs play a crucial role in promoting active citizenship among young people. However, they face several challenges that hinder their effectiveness.

Resource constraints-one of the primary challenges is the lack of dedicated funding and essential materials. Without adequate financial support, NCCE Offices struggle to procure vital learning materials such as copies of the 1992 Constitution, the Constitution Game Board, E-Constitution, among others.

This scarcity limits the types and scale of activities they could conduct.

Way Forward

To strengthen Civic Education Clubs and ensure longevity and effectiveness, several steps can be taken, including securing dedicated funding, building partnerships, and enhancing curriculum integration.

By making efforts to secure such funding, it is believed the next generation would have been empowered to appreciate and uphold democratic values, ultimately contributing to a more informed and responsible citizenry.

Source: GNA

Follow us on our social media pages for more stories and posts from the NCCE.

Instagram