NCCE Engages GRA Customs Officials on Constitutional Values in the Digital Age

The Upper East Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Bolgatanga as part of activities marking this year’s Annual Constitution Week Celebration.

The engagement, held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Command Office in Bolgatanga, was attended by the Sector Commander, AC Salifu Korey, the Second in Command, CRO Martin Dugbley, and 17 other officers of the Command.

Following a brief self-introduction session, the Sector Commander handed over proceedings to officials of the Commission to educate participants on the relevance of the Constitution Week Celebration.

The Head of Program at the Regional Office, Madam Bridget Akpanaba, thanked the officers for their participation and explained the significance of the annual celebration. She noted that the Constitution Week Celebration was instituted in 2001 to commemorate Ghana’s return to constitutional democratic rule.

Her presentation was preceded by remarks from the Deputy Regional Director in charge of Civic Education, who explained that April 28, 1992, marked the day Ghanaians voted in a referendum to adopt the draft Fourth Republican Constitution, which came into full effect on January 7, 1993. Since 2001, the period from April 28 to May 4 has been observed annually as Constitution Week.

This year’s celebration is on the theme: “Upholding Our Constitution in the Digital Age: Our Collective Responsibility.”

Officials of the Commission emphasized that the digital space has become an important platform for communication, information sharing, and citizen participation. However, they cautioned that the misuse of digital platforms has also led to the spread of misinformation and disinformation, cybercrime, digital fraud, hate speech, impersonation, invasion of privacy, and online abuse, particularly against women and children.

According to the NCCE, these challenges threaten national cohesion, public trust, peace, and democratic stability. Participants were reminded that constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, must be exercised responsibly and within the confines of the law.

The officials further stressed that upholding the Constitution is a shared responsibility involving citizens, state institutions, civil society organizations, and the media. Citizens were therefore encouraged to practice responsible digital behavior to safeguard democratic values, promote accountability, and maintain national unity.

Reference was also made to the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1030), which provides the legal framework to combat cybercrime and protect digital users. The Commission noted, however, that enforcement alone is insufficient without public understanding and responsible online conduct.

Quoting Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution, the NCCE reminded participants that every citizen has a civic duty to uphold and defend the Constitution.

The engagement ended with a call on citizens to become responsible digital actors who use technology to strengthen democracy rather than undermine it, stressing that protecting constitutional values in the digital age is essential for peace, development, and democratic stability in Ghana.