The Chairperson of NCCE, Josephine Nkrumah, has reiterated the need to ensure national unity at all levels of society to build a beautiful country.

She said unity is an important ingredient that binds society together, adding that “the fact that we belong to different political parties, religious sects and ethnic groups should not make us enemies”.

The NCCE boss made these remarks during an engagement with pupils of the Zobzia junior high school at Gambaga in the East Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region, as part of the activities marking this Citizenship Week Celebration.

Chanting the slogan: 'Together we stand, divided we fall', the NCCE Chairperson urged pupils to put Ghana first in their endeavours and shun those who preach division along ethnic, political, or ethnic grounds.

Madam Nkrumah said although it is good to admire other developed countries, every Ghanaian has a role to play individually and collectively to ensure the building of the beautiful country all Ghanaians want to be.

Highlighting the essence of being good citizens, she quizzed the pupils randomly urged them to learn to do things that bring progress, be hardworking, be proud of Ghana and stand up for Ghana anytime, anywhere.

“Respect the national symbols and protect state property, including furniture and items in your schools”, she stated and asked them to report those who vandalise and abuse school properties.

Linking her presentation to Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution, the NCCE Chairperson explained the duties of a citizen to the pupils and encouraged them and Ghanaians at large to be interested in reading the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and make a conscious effort to abide by the rules and tenets of the supreme law.

She noted that the 1992 Constitution also enjoins the citizenry to be part of efforts to provide solutions to the various challenges we face in our society, adding that “whether we are young or old we all have a part to play in ensuring the advancement of our country”.

The NCCE's North East Regional Director, Mr Wilberforce Zangina, in a remark, re-echoed the importance of the day and entreated the pupils to aspire to be good citizens everywhere they may find themselves while putting Ghana first in all their dealings.

Through the Citizenship Week Celebration (CWC), which she observed focuses on the in-school pupils and youth, the Commission prepares them to be effective citizens, who are patriotic, tolerant, respectful, and disciplined.

Mr Abudu Bugri, Headmaster of Zobzia Junior High School noted that the choice of the school for the programme was the best, since the Zobzia Primary School was the first school to be established in the northern part of the country in 1908.

The Zobzia pupil sang the 'Yen Ara Asase Ni' patriotic song by the celebrated Ghanaian composer, Dr Ephraim Amu, in Mampruli showed eagerness through the engagement and expressed their gratitude for the education given them.

During the session, those who answered questions were presented with copies of the 1992 Constitution, sets of maths set, among other souvenirs.