Day: May 26, 2023

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has expressed concerned over ‘ the lack of interest of Ghanaians ahead of this year’s district assembly elections.’

Ghanaians, by the end of this year, are expected to go to the polls to elect their district Assembly Members and Unit Committee Members who will deliberate, supervise and legislate at the local government level for the next four years.

However, Mr Samuel Akuamoah Asare, a Deputy Chair in charge of Operations at the NCCE, said participation and interest in the elections, had so far been low, considering the fact that the elections were a couple of months away.

He described the situation as worrying, indicating that, the district assemblies played a critical role in sustaining the country’s democracy as they formed the basic unit on which the national structures rested.

‘This year is an election year, there is low participation, people do not take active interest in it.

‘Is it because of lack of political party participation because, the Constitution has proscribed them, it has banned them. The Constitution has barred them?’ he quizzed.

Mr Asare was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of an engagement with officers of the Ghana Immigration Service, in Accra, as part of activities to commemorate this year’s Constitution Week.

The annual Constitution Week was instituted in 2001 to commemorate the country’s return to constitutional rule on January 1, 1993.

The object of the celebration, among other things, is to create and sustain awareness of the principles and objectives of the 1992 Constitution to deepen and sustain Ghana’s democracy.

It is also to sensitise Ghanaians on the need for national unity and peaceful co-existence and inculcate into the citizens the spirit of patriotism.

This year’s celebration is marked on the theme: ’30 Years of Consolidating Constitutional Democracy: Building National Cohesion through Civic Education and Participation in Local Governance.’

In 2019, the Government begun processes to amend articles 243 (1) and 55 (3) of the Constitution to allow for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) and the opening up of local level elections to participation by political parties.

This, the Government believed, would increase citizens participation in local governance.

However, a proposed national referendum to decide on the matter was cancelled due to the absence of ‘a durable national consensus.’

Mr Asare urged Ghanaians to take keen interest in the elections despite the absence of political party participation to bring development to the local communities and strengthen the country’s democracy.

The Director of Operations also said while calls for review of the Constitution might be justified, Ghanaians must be careful not to undermine it until the needed reforms were made.

‘We don’t have to rush because the Constitution has served us well, it is the only Constitution which has served us thirty years, uninterrupted,’ he added.

He also emphasised the need for a strong cohesion among citizens especially considering that Ghana’s neigbouring countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali and Togo, had been attacked by violent extremist groups, operating within the Sahel in recent times.

He said: ‘There is the need for national cohesion, this is not the time to be polarised around ethnic line, political party line but, we need to come together, safeguard our democracy.’

Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi, Comptroller-General of Immigration, in a speech read on his behalf, said Ghanaians must use the Constitution Week to reflect on the significance of the constitution and renew their commitments to upholding its tenets.

‘Let remember the struggles of our forefathers in fighting for our independence and the importance of preserving the democratic gains that have been gained since. ‘

He said as law enforcement agencies, it was imperative they actively participated in such celebrations to disabuse the notion that they (security agencies) did not cherish the country’s constitution and its democracy.

He added that as the country commemorated the Constitution Week, ‘let us remember the importance of the constitution in shaping our nation and upholding our rights as citizens.

‘Let us also work towards building a society guided by its principles and values, and where every Ghanaian has equal rights and opportunities.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Students in the University of Buea, have been called upon to create an impact wherever they find themselves. This was the main message passed during the launch of activities marking the 30th anniversary of the institution.

The three-day event kicked off on May 25, characterized by sporting activities, community human investment, an open day, an alumni conference, exhibitions, a historical overview of UB, fundraising for projects earmarked, research, and outreach activities.

“Today, we celebrate where we come from, where we are, and where we want to be” Prof. Ngomo Horace Manga, the Vice-Chancellor said in his welcome address.

The pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Dorothy Limunga Njeuma was equally present. She was lauded for birthing what is now “an institution of reference”.

The University of Buea was first a University Centre before being transformed into a full University in 1993. It had just four faculties: Arts, Education, Science, and Social and Management Sciences. Today, it has 11 establishments (eight faculties, two colleges, and one school).

The 30th anniversary of the University is being celebrated under the theme: “University of Buea: impacting the future together through Innovative solutions”. Activities will take place at the University’s main campus.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs Téte António witnessed Friday in Rome the signing of an agreement between the Degli Studi Roma Tre University and the National Institute for Scholarship Management (INAGBE), and another with the Venâncio de Moura Diplomatic Academy.

The initiative is part of the two-day, the first State visit, of the President João Lourenço to Italy, whose results, he said, exceeded the expectations and reinforced the bases for new cooperation areas.

While leaving the Degli Studi Roma Tre University, where he witnessed the signing ceremonies, the minister told the press that the partnership with INAGBE has to do with sending Angolan students to the Italian institution, known for its deep research on social issues.

As for the agreement between the Italian university and the Venâncio de Moura Diplomatic Academy, Téte António stressed that the ambitions of Angola require the existence of diplomats capable in terms of analysis, understanding of phenomena and negotiation.

In the future, the Angolan side intends that the cooperation with the Italian university will move forward so that the referred training can also be done in Angola and benefit a larger number of students.

“The two agreements will remain the basis for developing cooperation with the Angolan government and with Angolan academic institutions,” said the rector for international relations at the Degli Studi Roma Tre University, Raffaele Marchetti.

The academician confirmed that one of the agreements makes it possible for Angolan students to attend the Degli Studi Roma Tre University, via scholarships.

Raffaele Marchetti considered the understanding an important step and said that at the university where he works there are already some Angolan students.

“The idea of the agreement is to offer the same possibility to other students,” he said, adding that the Degli Studi Roma Tre University is bilingual, “but most courses are done in English.”

As for the Angolan President’s visit to Italy, minister Téte António stressed the availability of the “Italian government to cooperate with Angola.

According to the Angolan top diplomat, the Italian government’s action placed Angola in a very high position among its trading partners.

Cooperation between the two countries covers various fields, with stress to the energy, agriculture, defence and transport sectors.

Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)