Parliamentary press corps trained on new standing orders

By:Yesmeen Abubakar Tetteh.

Parliament has conducted a two-day orientation workshop for members of the Parliamentary Press Corps on the revised Standing Orders of the House. The workshop aimed to introduce Press Corps members to the new Standing Orders of Parliament, adopted on December 21, 2023, and enforced from January 2, 2024.

Structured to align with evolving trends in parliamentary democracy, these new Standing Orders replace the previous regulations that had been in place for nearly twenty-four years under the Fourth Republican dispensation.

The revised Orders introduce several notable changes to the Rules and Procedures of Parliament including the recitation of the National Pledge, conducting parliamentary business through virtual platforms, and outlining a clear hierarchy within the Leadership of Parliament. Under the new Standing Orders, the number of parliamentary Committees has increased
from thirty-one (31) to forty-four (44) to emphasise the new focus and direction of the House, as part of efforts to expand and improve parliamentary oversight of activities of public officials.

The workshop which took place from Saturday, March 9, 2024, to Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Aqua Safari in the Greater Accra Region, aimed to acquaint journalists with the provisions of the new Orders, following a similar orientation conducted for all 275 Members of Parliament.

In his keynote address, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban S.K Bagbin, emphasized the importance of engaging critical partners such as the press corps and civil society in parliamentary affairs.

“There is a yawning gap between the representatives and the people, and there is a huge gap between government and the people. This gap can only be bridged and closed by a very important group of people or a very important institution referred to as the media, both traditional and new media.”

“So, for us to be able to reach out to the people effectively, for us to continuously represent them effectively and reflect their aspirations, we need the media. Hence, this training workshop is of utmost importance.”

“We need you; we will have to work with you. You have to understand what we do, how we do it and need to know the processes and procedures, especially given the changing nature of Parliament and the current trends in democracy and development, as people continue to apply old rules.”

“Over time, the practice has exposed gaps and deficiencies in the old Standing Orders, which were identified as far back as 2001.”

He highlighted the crucial role of the media in bridging the gap between representatives and the public, stressing the need for collaboration between Parliament and the press.

In his opening address, the Clerk to Parliament, Cyril K.O Nsiah, emphasized the necessity of refining parliamentary processes and procedures to meet contemporary challenges and ensure transparency in the democratic process.

“After twenty-three (23) years of adherence to the provisions of the previous Standing Orders of the House, with minimal amendments, it is prudent that Parliament refines its processes and procedures in accordance with emerging legislative trends across the
Commonwealth.”

“Contemporary challenges including demands for higher levels of transparency in the democratic process; inadequacy of manual work procedures in the effective discharge of the mandate of the Legislature; and the Covid-19 pandemic revealed some gaps in the Orders of House, requiring that we adapt innovative techniques and strategies in order to deliver on the mandate of Parliament.”

He urged participants to fully engage in the orientation program to enhance their understanding of parliamentary rules and procedures.

“This orientation programme, therefore, affords members of the parliamentary press corps the opportunity to familiarise yourselves with the contents of the revised Standing Orders, to enable you to report accurately, not only on the proceedings and other activities of Parliament but also the intricate practices and procedures that underpin certain decisions, motions and resolutions of the House.”

“As one of the key stakeholders of Parliament, I urge you to participate fully in all sessions of this orientation programme in order to benefit from the deliberations, which would enable you to improve your knowledge of the rules of the House and facilitate the discharge of your mandate as the eyes and ears of the Ghanaian populace,” he added.

On her part, Deputy Clerk Gloria Sarku Kumawu highlighted the media’s vital role in disseminating accurate information from Parliament to the public and stressed the importance of understanding the new Orders for the promotion of good governance and democracy in Ghana.

The workshop, she said, is therefore imperative not only for the business of Parliament but also for the enhancement of good governance and Ghana’s democracy.

During the orientation, members of the Parliamentary Press Corps had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the key highlights of the revised Orders.

The workshop’s agenda included comprehensive discussions on various aspects of the revised Standing Orders, enabling attendees to grasp the intricacies of parliamentary procedures and regulations. It also provided a forum for participants to engage in constructive dialogue and exchange ideas on how best to navigate their roles within the parliamentary environment.