Ms. Kathleen Addy, Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has urged Ghanaians to actively demand accountability from their political leaders following elections.
“After elections, do not go to bed; hold the elected officials accountable,” she stated.
Ms. Addy emphasized that it is both a constitutional right and a civic duty for citizens to ensure politicians are held responsible for their actions and policies.
She made this call during a visit to the Divine Mercy Catholic Church at Okponglo in the Ayawaso West Municipality, where she reminded church members of the importance of collective action to ensure the upcoming elections in Ghana are successful.
She informed the congregation that every Ghanaian has a stake in national development through their local assemblies, and therefore, they must hold these assemblies accountable for community progress.
The NCCE Chairperson explained that greater citizen engagement is crucial for promoting transparency and combating corruption in government. She encouraged individuals not only to exercise their voting rights but also to remain involved in the political process between elections.
Ms. Addy stressed that Ghana’s democracy can only flourish with active citizen participation in governance, urging all Ghanaians to educate themselves about their rights and responsibilities.
She announced that the NCCE would continue to organize community outreach programs aimed at informing the public about their role in governance, particularly in rural areas where access to information may be limited.
Furthermore, she noted that Ghana’s elections have been marred by complaints for over 30 years, a situation that is not unique to the country and is also seen in advanced democracies.
Ms. Addy cautioned both voters and politicians against election monetization, misinformation, disinformation, and electoral violence, which could threaten the country’s peace.
