NCCE KUMASI METRO ENGAGES TRADERS AND PASSENGERS AT ASAFO MARKET ON DIGITAL RESPONSIBILITY

Mr. Awal Iddrisu of the National Commission for Civic Education has urged citizens to exercise their freedom of expression responsibly, especially on digital platforms, as part of activities marking this year’s Constitution Week Celebration.

Speaking on digital responsibility at the Afriyie Information Centre, Mr. Iddrisu explained that while the 1992 Constitution guarantees citizens the right to express themselves, that right must be exercised with respect for the rights, freedoms, and dignity of others. He noted that the digital space has become an important platform for public discussion, but cautioned that it must not be used to promote insults, hate speech, misinformation, intolerance, or disrespect for lawful authority.

According to him, respect for authority remains an important Ghanaian value and should not be abandoned in online interactions. He reminded listeners that social media and other digital platforms should be used to promote peace, truth, tolerance, and national unity rather than division and abuse.

Mr. Iddrisu further encouraged citizens to tolerate divergent views and engage in public discussions with civility, even when they disagree with others. He stressed that democracy becomes stronger when citizens express their opinions responsibly and allow others to do the same without intimidation, insults, or personal attacks.

Touching on the duties of citizens under the 1992 Constitution, he reminded the public of the need to uphold and defend the Constitution, participate in communal labour, assist security agencies in investigations, respect the rights of others, and contribute to the wellbeing of their communities. He said responsible citizenship must be demonstrated both online and offline.

Mr. Iddrisu reiterated that although free speech is a cornerstone of democracy, it is not a licence for intolerance, hate speech, falsehood, or abusive conduct. He urged listeners to verify information before sharing it and to consider the possible consequences of their online actions on individuals, communities, and the country.

After the engagement at the information centre, Mr. Iddrisu interacted with some traders one-on-one to assess their understanding of the message and further clarify issues relating to responsible digital conduct and civic duties.

He later extended the education to passengers on board a bus at the Asafo VIP Bus Station, where he again encouraged citizens to use digital platforms responsibly, respect others in their communication, and uphold the values of the Constitution in their daily lives.