The leaders of various political parties in Ghana have been asked to ensure that their functionaries refrain from abusing the dignity of politicians. Mr Peter Mensah, Upper East Regional Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), made the call during the 11th Constitutional Week Celebration organised by the Commission in Bolgatanga. He expressed worry that some of the functionaries, who engaged in radio discussions, abused political leaders to the detriment of the country’s young democracy. Mr Mensah said: “As citizens, it is our civic duty as well as moral and religious obligation to respect our authorities even if we do not like them. God Himself put them there for a divine purpose”. Mrs Augustina Akosua Akumanyi, Deputy Chairman of the NCCE, challenged political parties to strive to meet democratic standards, and to educate their members to be law abiding and avoid violence, especially during elections. She said: “We have to also examine funding for parties, recruitment drive and registration of party members, payment of dues, accounting and other issues connected with the development of political parties”. Mrs Akumanyi observed that in developed countries such as the United Kingdom, political parties did not recruit party agents or foot soldiers as part of the security agencies to preside over elections. She said: “As members of political parties, you should yearn to attain such status and improve upon the successes you have so far chalked since the country returned to constitutional rule”. Mrs Akumanyi appealed to political parties to educate their members on their manifestoes and constitutions. She noted that corruption and kick backs were major obstacles to the country’s development, and appealed to political parties, particularly those in power, to address these problems. Source: GNA