Gambaga: The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has organised an educational engagement for men and women’s groups in Gambaga in the East Mamprusi Municipality, aimed at empowering them to understand their civic rights to uphold the rule of law and resist corruption.
According to Ghana News Agency, a total of 60 participants, including 53 women and seven men, drawn from various communities and women’s associations across the municipality, were taken through various topics, including the principles of the rule of law, the Whistleblower Act, the Domestic Violence Act, the Right to Information Act, among others.
The engagement formed part of a nationwide initiative under the project ‘Civic Engagements on the Rule of Law and the Fight Against Corruption,’ being implemented by the NCCE with funding support from GIZ and co-funded by the European Union (EU).
Mr Abdulai Abdul-Mugis, the East Mamprusi Municipal Director of the NCCE, emphasised that empowering women to understand their civic rights and responsibilities was vital in the national effort to fight corruption and strengthen democratic governance.
He noted that women often bore the brunt of corrupt practices in accessing public services such as healthcare, education, and market regulation, and therefore must be equipped to challenge such injustices through legal and civic means.
‘When women understand the laws that protect them, they gain confidence to speak up and demand fairness in public service delivery,’ he added.
He emphasised that the expected outcomes of the engagement were to improve awareness of women’s legal rights, increase confidence to report corruption, strengthen women’s leadership in community development, and expand advocacy networks promoting transparency and integrity in the municipality.
Lance Corporal Amina Braimah, an officer from the North East Regional Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), encouraged the women to identify, resist, and speak out against corrupt practices that undermine their livelihoods.
‘Women must not tolerate extortion or sexual harassment in any form. The law is there to protect you, and institutions like DOVVSU are ready to support you, so, you must report such conduct without fear,’ Cpl. Braimah added.
Mr Sulley Sawyer Salifu, an investigator with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in the North East Region, who took participants through the principles of the rule of law, civic rights, and responsibilities, urged them to uphold the law in high esteem.
He explained that promoting integrity begins with citizens understanding of the rule of law and holding duty bearers accountable.
‘The rule of law ensures that everyone, regardless of status, is accountable. When citizens, especially women, know their rights, they can demand justice and transparency,’ Mr Salifu stated.
The interactive sessions encouraged participants to share real-life experiences of corruption in markets and public institutions.
Many expressed gratitude for the training and pledged to act as ambassadors for accountability and integrity in their communities.