Accra: Mr. Frank Afriyie, the NDC Member of Parliament for Afadjato South, has commended journalists reporting on the activities of Ghana's parliament for unbiased and fair reporting of parliamentary proceedings over the years. He urged the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) to continue projecting the work of the Legislative arm of government to deepen Ghana's democratic processes. He cautioned that if any unpleasant incidents happen in Parliament, the media must be absolved from any blame.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Afriyie emphasized that any issues within Parliament are not attributable to the media, the Clerk, the Speaker, or parliamentary staff but are often due to partisan indiscretion by members of Parliament. These remarks were made during a two-day capacity-building workshop for the Parliamentary Press Corps in Accra. Mr. Afriyie, representing the Majority Caucus in Parliament, encouraged the media to focus more on government business on the parliamentary floor rather than the 'showmanship and theatrics of the Minority Caucus.'
Mr. Afriyie further explained that the Majority Caucus in Parliament, led by its Leader Mahama Ayariga, understood the rationale behind the government's policies and legislative instruments and should be consulted to clarify issues regarding government business. Mr. Sammi Awuku, the NPP Member of Parliament for Akuapim South, representing the Minority Caucus, also commended the media for scrutinizing parliamentary work and shaping public perceptions.
Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Clerk to Parliament, highlighted the indispensable role of the media in informing the public about parliamentary activities. He expressed Parliament's commitment to empowering the Parliamentary Press Corps through training to enhance transparency and accountability. He underscored the importance of accurate and objective reporting to enable the public to make informed decisions.
The workshop, themed 'Enhancing the Image of Parliament through the Towering Role of the Media,' served as a platform for the PPC to reflect on their work and improve national conversations and policy interventions. Topics discussed included the Evolution and Functions of Parliament, Standards and Ethics in Parliament, and a Guide to Parliamentary Reporting.
Mr. Simon Agianab, the Dean of the Parliamentary Press Corps, praised the Media Relations Department of the Parliamentary Service for facilitating the event and pledged the PPC's commitment to ensuring free, fair, and transparent reporting on parliamentary work.
