NCCE counsels adolescents not to fall for political deception

Citizens, especially young people, have been exhorted by Kathleen Addy, the chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), to vote for candidates based on policies they believe will hasten socioeconomic progress and concerns that resonate with them. 

She consequently exhorted them to turn down politicians who attempted to lure them in with cash, presents, and assurances that would instigate violence and jeopardize the country's internationally cherished peace and stability.

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“We came here to discuss things like violence and violent activities and remind citizens that these things are outside of the law, and it doesn't help our country. So, we must avoid becoming victims of politicians who come and give us arms, give us knives, and a little bit of money to go and cause trouble during the election,” she said.

As the country entered the electioneering phase, Ms. Addy was speaking at a community engagement yesterday that aimed to raise public awareness of hate speech, fake news, misinformation, and disinformation. 

Participation of the community 

It was organized as part of the NCCE's efforts to help maintain peace and stability prior to, during, and following the elections in cooperation with USAID and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). 

In the event titled "Together we can build Ghana, so get unloved," political responsibility, the perils of vote-buying, money politics, and their detrimental impacts on socioeconomic progress and national development were discussed.

Additionally, community members had the chance to raise questions in order to get clarification on some public concerns related to the elections. 

Mandatory 

Ms. Addy emphasized that the NCCE would not compromise on its goal of educating the public about actions that would jeopardize the country's democracy. 

“We are doing this work not only here, but in various less endowed communities around the country. We are giving extra attention to those communities because we want the message to sink here very clearly. Because a lot of times it is the young people from these areas that are misused or misled into taking up illegal activities around elections,” she said.

In addition, the NCCE Chair urged law enforcement and other pertinent authorities to target and bring charges against anyone who engaged in actions that tended to inflame political tensions prior to, during, and following elections, stating that "if we all do our mandate, the system will work."

Inclusion

According to Gilbert Sam, Senior Election Specialist at IFES Ghana, his organization is dedicated to tackling the problems of inclusion in the country's political scene, especially for women and people with disabilities. 

Additionally, he stated that the fight against vote buying was being stepped up and emphasized that such illegal acts would impede the nation's socioeconomic progress.

“We’ve been fighting against galamsey for a while now. So imagine a galamseyer funds a certain politician or MP who then finds their way into Parliament. Do you think if there’s a bill to tackle the issue, that person would be able to vote in support? No,” he said.