The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has reminded Ghanaians of their civil right to respect the national symbols.
The NCCE wants citizens to stand as a sign of respect when they hear the national anthem and pledge.
“At the sound of the National Anthem and the National Pledge, it is the civic duty of every citizen of Ghana to stand as a sign of respect to the State and these national symbols,” excerpts of the statement noted.
In the public notice on Tuesday, 12 June 2023, NCCE registered its displeasure with the growing disregard for patriotic values among citizens of Ghana.
The NCCE believes the trend is gradually negatively “redefining our identity as Ghanaians.”
“National symbols such as the National Pledge, the National Anthem, the National Flag, the Coat of Arms, the Ghana Currency and the Mace of Parliament among other symbols and State identities must be respected,” the statement urged.
“These symbols identify us, as citizens of Ghana and they must be accorded the requisite levels of recognition and decorum”.
“The words in our National Anthem and the National Pledge are sacred. As citizens with deeply held religious values, we must not just say the words but sing and recite them with great commitment.
“This commitment is important because the words embody our values as people with one destiny.”
“Let us, as citizens, appreciate our civic duty, and collectively uphold and safeguard our patriotic values and national symbols for today’s generation and posterity,” the NCCE urged.
This development comes after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was seen aggressively asking the Greater Accra Regional Minister to tell a chief to get up and observe the National Anthem in a viral video.
The Chief of Mempeasem, Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw VI was seated unconcern during the 2023 edition of the Green Ghana Day Celebration, which was conducted at the University of Ghana.
This infuriated the president who asked Mr. Quartey to order him to stand and observe the national anthem.
Meanwhile, Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw VI has unreservedly apologized to the President for his unpatriotic behaviour.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 13, the chief confirmed that he indeed did not stand at the time the National Anthem was played to start the ceremony but however gave reasons that he was not feeling well during the event.
“I would like to state for the records that I did not elect to willfully refuse to stand to observe the National Anthem. No patriotic son of the land would do so let alone a chief, mores in the presence of the President and other distinguished guests. I did not stand to observe the National Anthem because I felt weak. Even though I was not well and was on medication, I had endeavored to attend the programme because I share in the vision of the President for the Green Ghana Day initiative. I was hoping everything would go as planned so I could retire home in time to continue with my recuperation. Unfortunately for me, the programme commenced rather late. I had been sitting for a considerable period of time and thus felt weak from the effects of the medication and my ill-health by the time the National Anthem was being observed which was why I was unable to stand on my feet to observe it,” the chief explained.
Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw VI, therefore, unreservedly apologized and also encouraged all Ghanaians to exercise restraint with their reactions, especially as directed to the number one Gentleman of the land.
“I wish to assure the President and the good people of Ghana that I am a law-abiding citizen of this country. And also as a chief, it is incumbent on me at all times to uphold the sovereignty of this nation as enshrined in the National Anthem. I would therefore but for my temporary incapacitation, never refuse willfully to properly observe something as important as the National Anthem,” the statement noted.
