The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) says the 1992 Constitution, which gave birth to the Fourth Republic, ended all military adventurism into Ghana’s democratic governance, hence the need for Ghanaians to guard the Constitution to protect the current democratic dispensation.
The Fourth Republic, being the longest uninterrupted democratic system since independence in 1957, has survived successive elections and a peaceful transfer of power from one party to the other, an achievement Ghanaians must be proud of, Mrs Ophelia Ankrah, the NCCE Eastern Regional Director, said.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency on the celebration of Constitution Week, she explained that the significance of the commemorative event was to register the nation’s collective choice for sustainable democratic governance.
She said 31 years into the Fourth Republic, the nation is taking stock of the gains and challenges and what improvements could be made to improve governance, universal adult suffrage, the enactment of laws, and the rule of law.
“The clarion call is for all and sundry to get involved. Young or old, we rise and we fall together. Therefore, sitting on the fence is not an option. Being active citizens and not spectators is a summons to all,” Mrs Ankrah said.
“Being an election year, we call on the media, political parties, CSOs, and, in fact, the public to be mindful of the peace we enjoy and to guard it jealously, so that together we can exercise our franchise at the polls fearlessly and in peace….”
“Together, we can indeed build a better Ghana, so get involved! God bless our homeland, Ghana, and continue to make us bold and strong as we strive for growth and development in every sector of our lives.”
On the relevance of the Constitution Week celebration, she noted that the call for a national effort to protect and defend the current constitution to strengthen democratic governance was critical.
She said the new political culture called for an understanding of the basic tenets of democracy with its associated rights and obligations and the strengthening of institutions to ensure the survival of the 31-year-old Constitution.
Mrs Ankrah noted that constitutional rule and democracy would only thrive in a proactive civic society supported by a vibrant, free, and independent press and judiciary, were citizens are aware of their responsibilities and ready to assert their rights.
“Indeed, it is important that the Ghanaian community develops, strengthens, and institutionalises the culture of constitutionalism in the hearts and minds of all, irrespective of age or sex,” she said.
One of the main challenges facing the Ghanaian society was how to support and deepen the democratic process.
“While it is easier to put in place multiparty elective processes, the more difficult road to democracy is the development of durable institutions that will protect, defend, and uphold democracy….”Mrs Ankerah said.
She said the framers of the Constitution provided certain safeguards for its preservation by crafting entrenched provisions, enjoining the public to resist any attempt to overthrow it, and the steps to take to restore it should it be overthrown or suspended.
