Joy Preparatory School, a private basic school at Madina in Accra has won the maiden Smart Governance Quiz competition organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in partnership with the UPSA Law School.
The Smart Governance Challenge, structured for basic schools in the La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipality, seeks to project and promote the 1992 Constitution to the youth while educating them on their civic responsibilities and rights.
After three closely-contested rounds at the preliminary stage, which saw eight schools competing against each other, Immanuel Presby School and two others—Joy Preparatory School and Pantang Village M/A School—progressed to the grand finale on Friday, September 30.
At the end of the contest, Joy Preparatory School emerged victorious with 36 points, followed by Immanuel Presbyterian School with 32 points and Pantang Village M/A School with 12 points.
For their prize, the winning team was presented with a plaque, a certificate of recognition, copies of the 1992 Constitution, reading books, as well as products and souvenirs from sponsors.
The first and the second runner-up schools also received a plaque, a certificate of recognition, copies of the constitution and books.
The NCCE Municipal Director for La-Nkwantanang, Madam Doris Agyemang, said the competition forms part of an awareness-creation efforts by the commission to equip young people with basic knowledge of the Constitution and Ghana’s governance system.
She mentioned that children learn through fun-activities and the annual quiz contest is intended to encourage active citizenship from the basic school pupils to enable them to play a part in promoting and supporting Ghana’s democracy.
For her part, Dr Francisca Kusi-Appiah, Head of the Department of Public Law at the UPSA Law School, said in order to achieve sustainable development, it is imperative for the citizenry to be educated on their civic duties in order to effectively discharge their roles in society.
“The competition thus provides an opportunity for students to express their knowledge on issues centered on constitutionalism, governance, and civic responsibilities,” she said.
Dr Kusi-Appiah believes it would also help to build the confidence of the children to be able to speak in public.
The contest attracted important stakeholders including the Member of Parliament for Madina, Hon Francis Xavier Sosu, representatives from the Ghana Education Service, traditional authorities, teachers, and municipal officials.
