The Clerk to Parliament has urged the press to be assiduous in their work
02-06-2021The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah has urged the press to be assiduous in their work and to report accurately on activities in the chamber and at committees. Mr. Nsiah noted that the business of Parliament would not be fully appreciated by the Ghanaian citizenry without the partnership and contribution of the media.
He therefore called on the media to be circumspect in their reportage and be guided by the code of ethics of their profession to ensure a balanced reportage and minimise sensationalism.
The Clerk was speaking at a press briefing by the two Leaders of the House in Parliament today. The briefing, held twice every Meeting, is to explain the agenda at beginning of the meeting and to take stock of Parliament’s work at the end of the meeting.
The Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu (MP, Tamale South) called on the media to report accurately and timeously in order to keep citizens not just informed about Parliament’s work, but also up to date with the happenings in the Legislature.
Mr. Iddrisu used the occasion to invite petitions, concerns or memoranda from the public on any nominee in the ongoing vetting of the President’s nominees for a minister of state and deputy ministerial positions. He spoke further on how citizens can participate in the legislative process and urged Ghanaians to make a conscious effort to engage more with Parliament.
The Leader of Government Business and House Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu (MP, Suame) paid tribute to former colleagues in the previous Parliament who were very instrumental in the legislative process.
He mentioned the former chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ben A Banda (Former MP, Offinso South), Joseph Yieleh Chireh (former MP, Wa West) and Mahama Shaibu (MP, Daboya) as some of the members who contributed immensely to the 7th Parliament.
The Majority leader underscored the need for Members of Parliament to gain experience in order for them to be effective legislators.
The Second Meeting of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament is expected to last for 9 weeks.
