Regional Parliamentary Centres To Be Established

Mr Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes, Speaker of Parliament, on Wednesday said Regional Parliamentary Centres would be established throughout the country. He was speaking at a one-day Regional Parliamentary Outreach Programme at Takoradi. The forum, which was under the theme, “Strengthening Parliament Through Public Engagement” was sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Mr Sekyi-Hughes said these centres would serve as points for collation and dissemination of information on the work of Parliament. He said the Leadership of Parliament is committed to deepening the country’s parliamentary democracy and culture by providing opportunity for all Ghanaians to participate in its work. Mr Sekyi-Hughes said Parliament has developed an Enhanced Strategic Plan that lays the foundation for a concerted push to address priorities critical for an effective Parliamentary institution for the nation. Mr Sekyi-Hughes said the plan would improve the capacity of Parliament to carry out its responsibilities more effectively. Further, he said, the expansion of physical infrastructure to provide a conducive working environment for Members of Parliament (MPs) and staff to discharge their mandate is being pursued. Mr Sekyi-Hughes said in this regard, the construction of an office complex for staff and MPs and the renovation of offices for committees are underway. Mr Abraham Osei-Aidoo, the Majority Leader, used the occasion to appeal to the people, to elect competent Parliamentarians in the forthcoming elections. He said people of proven competence should be elected into parliament to sustain the country’s democracy and enrich the work of Parliament. Mr Osei-Aidoo said candidates for the election should be assessed on their merit, competence and nationalism. He said selfish and financial motivated individuals should not be allowed into Parliament to destroy the country’s democratic process. Mr Enoch T. Mensah, MP for Ningo-Prampram, who represented the Minority Leader, said the main work of Parliament is legislative. He said although MPs lobby for projects for their constituencies, development projects at the local level are carried out by the district assemblies. Mr Mensah said it is true that MPs promise financial rewards to people to vote for them, adding that, anybody who behaves like that is not a serious politician. Mr Anthony Evans Amoah, Western Regional Minister, said the people are responsible for the action and inaction of those they vote into office. He said therefore, “We need to be interested in what they do and to ensure that they serve our interest”. Mr Amoah said, “This we can do by constantly keeping in touch with our Parliamentarian and putting our concerns across to them”. Mr Freddie Blay, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, was among dignitaries present at the function attended by MPs, District Chief Executives, Traditional Rulers, Public and Civil Servants and a cross-section of the public.