The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is stepping up its civic education programmes and strengthening partnerships with the media to help consolidate Ghana’s democratic gains, its Chairperson, Ms Kathleen Addy, has said.
Speaking at a Press Soirée organised by the Commission in Accra last week on the theme: *“Strengthening Civic Education through Strategic Partnerships”*, Ms Addy said the NCCE could only maximise the impact of its work if it worked closely with the media and other partners to reach more citizens.
NCCE Chairperson, Madam Kathleen Addy engaging with the media in Accra.
The engagement brought together senior media practitioners, stakeholders and civic education advocates to strengthen collaboration between the NCCE and the media in promoting civic consciousness, constitutional democracy and national cohesion.
Democratic gains not to be taken for granted
Ms Addy said civic education was central to Ghana’s democratic journey, particularly in helping citizens understand and protect the freedoms guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution.
She noted that the country had made significant progress since the return to constitutional rule, including the expansion of media freedom and greater opportunities for citizens to participate in national discussions, but those gains could not be taken for granted and required responsible and informed citizens to protect them. 04cd
*Media as lifeline for reach*
The NCCE Chairperson stressed that the partnership between the NCCE and the media was fundamental to the Commission’s ability to carry out its constitutional mandate.
“We can succeed in something, but if we don’t have reach, if we don’t have the media to amplify the things that we do, we will not be as impactful as we can be,” she stated. 04cd
She described the soirée as more than a social gathering, saying it provided an opportunity for journalists and the Commission to build relationships, exchange perspectives and deepen mutual understanding. 8fae
*Alarm over misinformation, hate speech and deepfakes*
Ms Addy expressed grave concern about the growing dangers posed by misinformation, deliberate disinformation, hate speech, intolerance, online harassment and deepfake content. 8fae
She warned that advances in artificial intelligence had made it possible to produce highly convincing but false images, videos and audio recordings, creating a situation where seeing and hearing could no longer automatically be treated as proof.
“We have entered an age in which seeing and hearing can no longer on their own be treated as proof,” Ms Addy said. 8d49
She said the speed of modern communication had made the work of professional journalists even more important, as inaccurate information could reach thousands of people before it was properly verified. 8fae
“A free media that is not guided by accuracy and fairness, ethics can damage the very democracy that makes its freedom possible,” she cautioned. 8d49
She therefore urged journalists to prioritise accuracy, fairness, independence and trustworthiness over the race to be the first to publish, and to help citizens distinguish fact from falsehood.
