NCCE Kwabre East Sensitises Gyaamah Pensah SHTS Fresh Students on Responsible Citizenship and Online Safety

The Kwabre East Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged newly admitted students of Gyaamah Pensah Senior High Technical School at Aboaso on responsible citizenship and safe digital practices, encouraging them to uphold constitutional values and demonstrate responsible behaviour both online and offline.

Held at the school's auditorium, the engagement brought together school authorities, teachers and fresh students as part of efforts to deepen constitutional awareness among young people and equip them with the knowledge to navigate the digital environment responsibly. The exercise was in line with the Commission's annual theme, "Upholding Our Constitution in a Digital Age, Our Collective Responsibility".

Addressing participants, a staff member of the NCCE, Madam Sadiya Baba Sali, emphasised the importance of understanding and fulfilling the duties of citizenship as enshrined in Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution. She encouraged students to demonstrate patriotism by promoting the good name of Ghana, upholding and defending the Constitution, respecting the rights and freedoms of others and contributing meaningfully to the development of their communities.

Madam Sali further reminded the students of their responsibility to protect public property, safeguard the environment, live in harmony with others and cooperate with lawful authorities, including school administrators. She explained that responsible citizenship requires a conscious commitment to respecting the laws of the country and recognising the Constitution as the supreme law of Ghana, to which all other laws must conform. Emphasising the relationship between rights and responsibilities, she urged participants to exercise their freedoms responsibly without infringing upon the legitimate rights and well-being of others.

Reinforcing the message of discipline and responsible conduct, the school's Guidance and Counselling Coordinator, Mrs. Priscilla Osei, encouraged the students to familiarise themselves with the institution's rules, regulations and established procedures. She particularly drew their attention to the importance of understanding examination regulations, observing safety precautions and studying the school handbook to guide their conduct throughout their stay in the institution.

Beyond their responsibilities within the school environment, the engagement also highlighted the growing importance of responsible behaviour in the digital space. Participants were sensitised to the risks associated with the use of smartphones, social media, online learning platforms and gaming applications, particularly their potential exposure to cyberbullying, online exploitation, sexual abuse, indecent content, privacy violations, digital fraud and misinformation. The discussions encouraged students to appreciate that their actions in the virtual environment could have consequences for their personal safety, reputation and relationships in the physical world.

Contributing to the sensitisation, an NCCE official, Madam Mary Tiwaa, reminded the students of their position as future leaders and agents of positive change, urging them to demonstrate integrity, discipline and respect for others in their online interactions. She stressed that the principles of responsible citizenship must extend beyond physical communities into the digital environment, where individuals are equally expected to exercise their rights with consideration for the dignity and well-being of others.

Madam Tiwaa further encouraged participants to stand together in promoting positive values, peace and unity while rejecting harmful online practices that could undermine their personal development and the welfare of society. She emphasised that online activities are not detached from real-life experiences and that the consequences of irresponsible digital behaviour could affect individuals, families and communities.

Students actively participated in the engagement and expressed appreciation for the lessons on constitutional responsibilities and digital safety. Their responses reflected an interest in applying the knowledge acquired to their daily interactions and becoming advocates of discipline, peaceful coexistence and responsible conduct within the school and beyond.

Through the initiative, the NCCE Kwabre East Municipal Directorate reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing a generation of constitutionally conscious and digitally responsible young people who understand their rights, fulfil their civic obligations and contribute positively to national development.