The head of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) Josephine Nkrumah has made a case for Ghana's democracy to be protected, saying it is crucial to the country's development.

She said the country cannot afford to "back-paddle" into the era of military takeovers because the cost will be too high for the citizens to bear.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the NCCE Civic Challenge Wednesday, Ms Nkrumah recommended the shaping of stronger institutions relevant to the nation's development.

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Commission since it was established in 1993 under the National Commission for Civic Education Act (Act 452).

The NCCE is empowered by the law to create and sustain the awareness of the principles and objectives of the Constitution as the fundamental law of the people of Ghana.

It is also charged with the responsibility of formulating for the consideration of the government, programmes at the national, regional and district levels aimed at realizing the objectives of the Constitution.

Students at the maiden NCCE Civic Challenge 

The Commission works towards its objectives by undertaking a mix of activities aimed at teaching Ghanaians their rights and duties captured in the 1992 Constitution.

The NCCE has outlined ambitious activities for 2018 anchored on the theme: "Our nation, our heritage, consolidating Ghana's democratic gains."

Ms Nkrumah has called on Ghanaians to learn the Constitution to know where their rights start and end in order not to be abused by others.

Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid with Civic Challenge winners - GIMPA debaters

In the final of the maiden Civic Challenge debate held at the Auditorium of the University of Ghana Law Faculty, GIMPA triumphed over the University of Education Winneba after demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the topic.

The motion for the debate competition was: "60 years after independence, does Ghana need foreign aid for its development?"

The topic was motivated by president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's ambitious policy shift aimed at weaning Ghana off foreign aid. GIMPA was against donor handouts while UEW supported foreign aid.