The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has paid a courtesy call on the Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho as part of efforts to deepen collaboration with key stakeholders within Ghana’s governance architecture.  

The delegation, led by the Ho Municipal Director of the NCCE, Rev Vincent Adzika, included staff from the Regional and Municipal offices of the Commission.  

Rev Adzika said the engagement formed part of the Commission’s nationwide consultations aimed at strengthening constitutional democracy under its 2026 theme: “Upholding Our Constitution in a Digital Age: Our Collective Responsibility.”  

He explained that as Ghana’s foremost civic education body, the NCCE was engaging institutions and opinion leaders to solicit their views on critical national issues to enrich its civic education programmes.  

Touching on emerging concerns, Rev Adzika expressed worry about rising indiscipline in second-cycle institutions and increasing incidents of violence linked to school sporting activities.  

“School sports are meant to promote unity and sportsmanship, but increasingly we are witnessing hooliganism and violence, which undermine their purpose,” he noted.  

He also highlighted the alarming influx and abuse of hard drugs among the youth, describing it as a national menace requiring urgent and coordinated action.  

Rev Adzika further raised concerns about security threats within the sub-region, noting that terrorist activities recorded in some neighbouring countries and the porous nature of borders demanded vigilance from citizens and security agencies, including the Ghana Armed Forces.  

Commanding Officer of the 66 Artillery Regiment, Lt. Col. J.D. Ibrahim, commended the NCCE for its consistent engagement with the Regiment and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to national stability.  

He observed that while some instances of abuse of corporal punishment had led to human rights concerns, appropriate and regulated disciplinary measures were necessary to maintain order in schools.  

He cautioned against what he described as the “blind copying” of disciplinary policies from developed countries without considering Ghana’s socio-cultural context.  

“When we remove all elements that instill discipline and fear of consequences in students without adequate alternative structures, we risk worsening indiscipline in our schools,” he stated.  

On drug abuse, Lt. Col. Ibrahim described rehabilitation as costly and stressed that prevention was more effective than cure.  

“The hard drug problem is a hydra-headed challenge. We must break the supply chain and make the trade unprofitable; otherwise, our youth and the future of this country will be at risk,” he warned.  

He also identified sports betting addiction among the youth as a growing concern contributing to theft and other social vices.  

Lt. Col. Ibrahim underscored the importance of community intelligence in combating terrorism and violent extremism.  

“Terrorism can be defeated when citizens are willing to share information on unusual movements in their communities. Intelligence is critical. We must say something when we see something,” he urged.  

The NCCE is currently engaging religious leaders, traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), the Ghana Police Service and other institutional heads nationwide as part of its constitutional education drive.