The Ghanaian Parliament recently organized a two-day workshop for members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) to familiarize them with the newly adopted revised Standing Orders.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize parliamentary procedures and align them with contemporary democratic standards, following the adoption of the revised Orders by the House on December 21, 2023, which officially came into effect on January 2, 2024.
This comprehensive revision of the Standing Orders, the first in nearly a quarter-century since the inception of the Fourth Republic, reflects a commitment to evolving parliamentary democracy. The new Orders incorporate several innovative practices, such as the recital of the National Pledge, conducting parliamentary business through virtual platforms, and a clarified hierarchy of Parliament’s Leadership.
The workshop’s primary goal was to acquaint the Parliamentary Press with the nuances of the new Orders, following a similar orientation provided to all 275 members of the House. Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban S.K Bagbin, highlighted the integral role of the media in Ghana’s evolving democratic process, emphasizing the media’s role in connecting the government with its citizens.
He acknowledged the media as indispensable in effectively representing and reflecting the aspirations of the people and stressed the workshop is a crucial step in fostering a more informed and participatory democracy.
The Clerk to Parliament, Cyril K.O Nsiah, outlined the necessity of revising the Standing Orders, which had remained largely unchanged for 23 years, citing the need for greater transparency, the limitations of manual procedures, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parliamentary operations.
Deputy Clerk Gloria S. Kumawu emphasized the vital role of the workshop in addressing the communication gap that could lead to confusion and misinformation, noting the importance of journalists’ thorough understanding of the new Standing Orders for the sake of good governance and the enhancement of democracy in Ghana.
The workshop marks a significant step toward fostering a collaborative relationship between the Parliament and the media, ensuring that the latter is well-equipped to convey parliamentary proceedings and decisions accurately to the public in light of the revised Standing Orders. This initiative aims to enhance the transparency and accountability of parliamentary processes and reinforce the foundation of Ghana’s democracy.
With the new Standing Orders emphasizing virtual platforms and streamlined procedures, parliamentary business is expected to become more accessible and understandable to the general public, representing a pivotal moment in Parliament’s effort to adapt its legislative framework to the digital age and the evolving expectations of its citizens for more participatory and transparent governance.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
