THE DUTIES OF A GHANAIAN CITIZEN.

INTRODUCTION

It is an undisputable fact that the development of the country rests on the shoulders of all the stakeholders i.e. both the government and the masses (the governed).

You will all agree with me that every government elected and put in place has the objective of ensuring that the country moves forward and the standard of living of its people is raised.

The framers of the 1992 Constitution inserted in the Constitution some provisions which enjoin the government of the day to work towards the realization of certain objectives spelt out in the current 1992 Constitution.

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY

The chapter 6 of the 1992 Constitution headed ‘The Directive Principles of State Policy’ spells out the following policy objectives: Political Objectives, Economic Objectives, Social Objectives, Educational Objectives, Cultural Objectives and International Relations. These objectives are found in Articles 35-40 respectively.

The Constitution therefore enjoins the President of the day to report to Parliament at least once a year all steps taken to ensure the realization of the policy objectives mentioned above and others like the right to work, the right to good healthcare, the right to education and the realization of basic human rights that is the State of the Nation Address.

The government’s efforts of realizing these objectives will come to naught if the masses do not complement the efforts of the government and for that matter the people elected and put in positions of trust, e.g. President, Ministers, DCE’s, Assembly members, Unit Committee Members, Chiefs, etc.

The masses therefore have some important roles to play in the development of our dear Country, Ghana.

DUTIES OF THE CITIZEN

The Constitution has spelt out in Article 41 (a-k) the duties and obligations of a Citizen. The Article states that as citizens, as we enjoy the various rights and freedoms found in Chapter 5 of the Constitution, we should also rise up to the duties of the citizen since rights and responsibilities are bedfellows.

The Article 41 (a-k) of the Constitution states the following duties of a Citizen which as responsible citizens we need to perform to complement the efforts of the government since we form the majority.

a.     To promote the prestige and good name of Ghana and respect the symbols of the nation;

b.     To uphold and defend this Constitution and the law;

c.      To foster national unity and live in harmony with others;

d.     To respect the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of others, and generally to refrain from doing acts detrimental to the welfare of other persons;

e.     To work conscientiously in his lawfully chosen occupation;

f.       To protect and preserve public property and expose and combat misuse and waste of public funds and property;

g.      To contribute to the well-being of the community where that citizen lives;

h.     To defend Ghana and render national service when necessary;

i.       To co-operate with lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order;

j.       To declare his income honestly to the appropriate and lawful agencies and to satisfy all tax obligations; and

k.      To protect and safeguard the environment.

We are therefore pleading with you that every member of the Country performs his/her duties as Citizen and the country will develop as we all expect.