The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) says it is financially challenged to carry out its core duties ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections.

NCCE Western Regional Director, Alphonso Arthur told Joy News his staffs have for months been using their salary to get the office running.

“I for one use my salary to buy tyres for the vehicles [and since] last year this has been happening,” he registered his displeasure.

Per the NCCE Act (452) 1993, the Commission is mandated to carry out the following functions;

(a)To create and sustain within the society the awareness of the principles and objectives of the Constitution as the fundamental law of the people of Ghana

(b)To educate and encourage the public to defend the Constitution at all times, against all forms of abuse and violation

(c)To formulate, implement and oversee programmes intended to inculcate in the citizens of Ghana awareness of their civic responsibilities and an appreciation of their rights and obligations as free people

(d)To conduct voter education across the country

These roles are considered crucial to forestall the growing incidence of spoilt ballots recorded across the country in the previous elections.

With 33 days for Ghana to head to go to the polls, the NCCE is incapacitated to carry out the voter education function.

Mr Arthur said government used to give them money to run their office, but this has stopped with no clear explanation.

He said anytime they submit their yearly budget to Parliament, they are told by the "big men" at the NCCE Head Office in Accra to exercise some patience.

"So we are waiting as we use our salaries to run the office," he said.

Despite the difficulty, Mr Arthur said they remain unfazed as the various district officers go into the various communities in the region to educate residents.

“As I speak now the district officers are on the field speaking to faith organizations and other identifiable groups,” he explained further.