The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has noted pertinent issues on Covid-19 protocols, the December 7, general election and the emergence of secessionism as some issues that were given topmost attention in 2020. 

At the annual review meeting of the commission, it was noted that covid-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world with high disease burden and mortalities.

In a Communique, it outlined: 

1. The disease still exists and the rise in COVID-19 cases necessitate the need for all Ghanaians to respect health and safety protocols on COVID-19 particularly as we celebrate Christmas and New Year. 

2. New strains of COVID-19 indicate a faster spread, causing harm and leading to extended lockdowns in some countries. It is the collective responsibility of all Ghanaians to remain vigilant in our national effort to contain the spread of the disease. 

3. Even though many people have recovered from the COVID-19 disease, the long-term effects of post-recovery are still unknown. 

4. Leaders at all levels – political, religious, social- are admonished to lead by example in respecting the COVID-19 protocols and call on their followers to do same. 

5. Law enforcement agencies should implement the laws on the COVID-19 protocols and restrictions notably the wearing of nose masks correctly, the ban on social activities on beaches and night clubs as well as social distancing especially, as we approach the Christmas Season. 

6. NCCE expresses its sincere gratitude to the Presidency, COVID-19 National Trust Fund, COVID-19 Private Sector Fund, Ministry of Health, Church of Pentecost, OXFAM, the ONE GHANA MOVEMENT, the Ghana Psychological Association, Ghana Health Service, Law Class of 1993, CAMFED and YINSON Company Ltd for their diverse support to the Commission on COVID-19 awareness creation which contributed to the containment in infection rates. 

The Commission also observed that in the December 7, general elections, although the voting process was peacefully conducted, it has isolated incidents of violence in some parts of the polling stations in the country.

NCCE, therefore, expressed worry over the various misunderstanding coupled with demonstrations and violent clashes between the two major political parties (NPP and NDC) in the country. 

It requests aggrieved political parties and supporters to help maintain the peace and stability of the country. 

“While exercising all lawful options for redress, aggrieved political parties should admonish their followers to desist in engaging in acts that heighten tension and threaten the peace and stability of the country.”

The Commission also wants all Ghanaians to remember that “now more than ever, there is the need for consensus-building on key national development issues.”

The Commission reiterates that:

1. There is a need for consensus building on key national development issues and therefore urges all political actors to contribute their quota to national cohesion as a driver for development. 

2. The NCCE regrets the emergence of secessionism and reminds all citizens that Ghana remains a unitary republic. We, therefore, call on every Ghanaian to strive to build cohesion at all levels of society. 

3. NCCE draws the attention of Government and political parties that it has grassroots structures such as the Inter-Party Dialogue Committees, the Political Parties’ Youth Activists’ Platform which, if resourced properly, could be used as avenues for discussing pertinent national issues, enhancing national cohesion and consensus-building. 

4. NCCE calls on all state institutions to play their roles objectively and dispassionately to ensure that Ghana maintains its record as the third (3rd) most peaceful country in sub-Saharan Africa (Global Peace Index, 2020).