The Junior Graphic, a newspaper brand under the Graphic Communications Group Ltd. (GCGL), is partnering with the Parliament of Ghana to promote civic education and deepen children’s understanding of parliamentary proceedings, democracy and governance through a series of weekly educational articles to be published in the Junior Graphic.

The partnership, which will help make parliamentary issues simple, engaging and relatable for young readers across the country, was reached at a one-day workshop organised by the Department of Public Engagement of Parliament in Accra.

It brought together parliamentary officials and representatives of the GCGL.

Under the partnership, Junior Graphic would create a weekly column titled “Parliament and You” to publish educational materials provided by the Parliament of Ghana and present them through stories and examples children can relate to, such as settings at school and home.

The Deputy Clerk to Parliament in charge of Information Management Services (IMS), Rosemary Arthur Sarkodie, described the partnership as a strategic investment to bridge the gap between the Legislature and the next generation of Ghanaian citizens.

She said the initiative was aimed at translating parliamentary processes into a child-friendly language that resonated with young readers, with the ultimate goal of instilling a sense of civic duty in children long before they reach voting age.

“We must simplify complex procedures, the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of Parliament to young minds without losing the legal and procedural integrity,” she stated.

The Deputy Clerk emphasised that parliamentary education for children must be accurate, accessible, and consistent, and announced plans for a 48-week programme to ensure that it was delivered throughout the academic year.

The Director of Parliament’s Public Engagement Department, Superintendent (retd) Effia Tenge, said the partnership was aimed at bringing Parliament closer to young people, noting that many children already show strong interest in parliamentary work, particularly through school visits.

She disclosed that about 20,859 people visited Parliament in 2025, with nearly 70 per cent of them being children and young people, making them a key audience for civic education.

Ms Tenge said that while visits to Parliament remained important, the new partnership sought to bring parliamentary education directly to children through platforms they already read and trust, like the Junior Graphic.

As part of the workshop, a Public Affairs Officer of Parliament, Ruby Nortey, led a presentation on the proposed content for the weekly ‘Parliament and You’ column and discussed strategies to maintain children’s interest throughout the 48-week project.

The Coordinating Director of the Public Affairs Subdivision of the Parliament of Ghana, Kate Addo, also stated that modern civic engagement goes beyond providing information and receiving feedback.

She explained that it requires interactivity, accountability and continuous dialogue with children.

She added that the initiative targets young people at a formative stage, when lessons on democracy, critical thinking and peaceful problem-solving can have the greatest impact.

“If a 10-year-old understands that it is better to argue than to fight, then you know that you are getting somewhere,” she said.

The Editor of the Junior Graphic, Hannah A. Amoah, said the publication had, over the years, helped children to improve their reading, spelling and writing skills, while nurturing them to become responsible future leaders.

She added that the partnership would further educate children on important topics such as leadership, democracy, accountability, corruption and good citizenship, among others.

“It is imperative to teach them good values while they are still young so they will grow up with strong principles that will guide their behaviours throughout life.

By teaching them to appreciate what happens on the floor of Parliament, democracy and governance, we are giving them the tools to navigate the complexities of the world around them,” she added.

She indicated that children enjoyed competition, so quizzes, contests, and interactive activities with prizes for winners would be introduced to make learning about Parliament fun and exciting.