A three day induction and orientation programme for the 123 newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) has been organized by parliament with an aim to impart training and enhancing parliamentary and public officer conduct to the MPs.
The new parliamentarians are expected to be equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills that would help them to perform their legislative role in parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Alban Bagbin, Clerk to Parliament, Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrissu attended the programme.
Other leadership of parliament were Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, Majority Whip, Frank Annor-Dompreh, Chief Marshal to Parliament, Col Rtd John Buntugu, Director of Public Affairs, Ms Kate Addo, among other key staff of parliament.
At the official opening session Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, said the eight parliament which he described as “unique parliament” should lead Ghana to consolidate and entrench the country democratic governance.
He said the first time MPs needs effective training, mentorship and coaching, to help them understand their core duties as legislators.
Hon Bagbin said the work of parliament involves a lot of research with rules and procedures and reminded the new MPs to grab the rules and procedure so they could be able to work effectively and efficiently.
While urging the participants to take serious lessons at the programme and ensure the pick something at the end home, the Speaker asked them to eschew extreme partisanship.
He noted that plans are far advanced to revise the Standing Orders to enable Parliament function, stressing that Ghanaians want dividend democracy and not partisanship democracy.
Hon Bagbin however reiterated his commitment to lead a united parliament to reflect the will of the people and for the ultimate benefit of the country.
On their part, the Majority and the Minority Leaders of the House, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Haruna Iddrisu took turns to address the new MPs on the primary role of the legislator.
The two leaders respectively emphasized the need for the new members to learn from old members, adding that, Ghana will be best served if Members work towards an excellent Parliament.
The Clerk to parliament Mr. Cyril Nsiah, urged the participants to learn from their senior colleagues, as Parliamentary rudiments are best mastered through experience.
He assured them of Parliament’s commitment to assisting them with expert and impartial service.
The induction programme which started Saturday, February 6, with a lecture by the Speaker on the roles, duties and responsibilities of the MPs is expected to end on Monday, February 8, 2021.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
