The National Commission for Civic Education in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern region has organised a quiz competition for some basic schools in the area.
The event, held at Somanya Wesley Methodist Church, was aimed at educating students about the constitution of the country, environmental issues, sanitation, illegal mining, teenage pregnancy, and other topics.
The participating schools include Somanya Presby No. 1 JHS, Somanya Methodist JHS, and Amazing Grace International School.
Ms Henrietta Glikpo, the NCCE’s Yilo Krobo Municipal director, told Ghana News Agency that the quiz competition’s main goal is to engage young students by exposing them to the country’s societal issues, constitution, and current national events.
She added that the NCCE also made a significant effort to assist school libraries in obtaining a constitution to guide them during their studies, particularly around social studies. Thus, they provided a constitution to each school.
“We recognise the importance of broadening their horizons on environmental issues, sanitation, galamsey, child protection, teenage pregnancy, and other topics so that they can grow to become better future generational leaders, obey the law, and protect the environment from degradation and biodiversity loss,” she said.
Ms Glikpo went on to advise kids to focus more on their education and avoid activities such as drugs that will have a detrimental impact on their lives and prospects.
Mr Solomon Sackitey, the quiz master and public relations officer for Yilo Krobo GES Directorate, said the students’ performance was outstanding.
He stated that it was more than just an academic exercise, as societal issues are affecting our environment.
He noted that putting the lesson learnt into practice will have an impact on the children’s lives.
“I urged the NCCE to extend the event to the over 100 schools in the municipality, and I know students will have more ideas about constitutional and societal issues, which will go a long way in helping them to become good leaders and improve their lives,” he added.
Meanwhile, Somanya Methodist JHS won with 48 points, followed by Somanya Presby number 1 with 46 points as the first runner-up and Amazing Grace International School with 36 points, while Vision International School was invited but did not participate.
Martey Joanna, the group leader for Methodist JHS, told Ghana News Agency in an interview that they prepared for the quiz, which is why they came out victorious in the competition.
“One of the topics that keeps ringing in my ear is teenage pregnancy because there are my age mates here in Somanya who have dropped out from school and are now baby mothers without fathers, and since I don’t want to attract sexually transmitted infections or drop out from school, I will extend the dangers and hardships that are involved in such a situation to my peers so that they don’t fall victim.”
The winning school took away a plaque and packages, while others took away only packages