Tema: Mr Isaac Ashai Odamtten, the Tema East Member of Parliament, has called on the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to set its priorities right in order to attract necessary funding and effectively fulfill its mandate.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Odamtten emphasized the importance of the NCCE developing a strong strategic plan that aligns with the medium-term framework to secure funding and enhance the Commission's operations. He made this statement during a working visit to the NCCE Tema Metropolitan Office, where he engaged with staff about their operational challenges.
Mr Odamtten highlighted that parliament has a Standing Committee for independent constitutional bodies, including the NCCE, with responsibilities that encompass investigating strategic plans, performance reviews, annual budget hearings, audit reports, and operational activities. He noted that his visit aimed to strengthen his relationship with the NCCE and gain deeper insights into the Commission's operations as a member of the Committee.
The MP revealed that the Committee had initiated a review of the works of all constitutional bodies. This review aims to address the issue of newer commissions and authorities being more resourced and operational than the foundational constitutional bodies. He also questioned the duplicity of functions, citing the Ghana Revenue Authority's spending on announcements, which could be conducted by NCCE offices at the district and regional levels for education and sensitization.
In response to the challenges faced by the NCCE's Tema metro office, Mr Odamtten committed to using part of his common fund to provide a set of desktop computers and a UPS power backup system to replace faulty equipment.
Ms Gifty Agyeiwaa Badu, the Tema Metro Director of the NCCE, expressed appreciation for the MP's continuous support and active participation in the Commission's activities, such as the 2024 Parliamentary Candidates' Dialogue and the 2025 Security Constitution Quiz Competition. She also highlighted the inadequacy of the NCCE's current office space within the Tema Community Centre, where 12 staff members are cramped in a small area to perform their duties.
