Parliament is seen as the citadel of Democracy. It is the nerve centre of our democratic culture. Its absence creates a huge lacuna in our democratic system. Therefore, it is the heart and the compass of this culture of our democracy.
The 275 members of the House represent the 35 million Ghanaians.
Members of Parliament represent their constituents, debate on all national and constituency matters, legislate on productive laws for the citizens, and play oversight roles over the Executive and other constitutional bodies.
All these roles being played or carried out by our representatives should be heard, listened to, and read by the members of the public including the constituents of the elected members.
It is therefore important for the members of the corps who report on the workings of the House, to understand and appreciate what transpires on the floor of the House.
A Parliamentary correspondent should have an excellent working relationship with the members of the House, but he or she should demonstrate the traits of balance, objectivity, and fairness. He should report accurately without lacing his or her partisan or personal interest in their reports.
The reporter must understand the proceedings of the House, and use some terminologies, and other essential tools used by the members.
In a recently organized workshop for the members of the Corps by the Office of Parliament through its Media Relations Department, all the speakers ranging from the Director of Media Relations to the resource persons stressed the important role PPC plays in feeding the public about the role Parliament plays in our democratic culture. Therefore, They have appealed to the Corps members to sustain their sterling performance by informing and educating their audience with fair, objective, balanced, and accurate information.
A Deputy Chief Whip from the stock of the Minority, Hon Ahmed Ibrahim, advised Members of the PPC to strive for excellence and continue to play their watchdog role very well.
Hon Ahmed Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliament for Banda, appealed for financial assistance to the media personnel especially those who cover Parliament.
He assured the audience that he would lobby the leadership to make it an attainable thought.
One of the resource persons, Mr Edwin Arthur asked members of the corps to be abreast with the various elements of Parliamentary reporting. He appealed to the members to include research in their work.
He mentioned the 1992 Constitution, the Standing Orders, various Conventions, and practices as necessary tools in the work of a parliamentary correspondent.
Parliament and the Media Relations Department should be commended for this opportunity offered to the corps to build their capacity in parliamentary reporting
Capacity building for the corps is key in making the role of the members beneficial to the people.
Ahmed Osmanu Halid
The Servant