Exhibit professionalism – Speaker to press corps

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Prof Aaron Mike Oquaye, has admonished parliamentary reporters to exhibit a high level of professionalism in their reportage on proceedings on the floor of the House.

He made this admonition when he inaugurated new executives to steer the affairs of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) of Ghana.

The PPC, which has been in existence since Ghana’s return to multi-party democracy in 1992, is an association of journalists who report on parliamentary proceedings and activities for media houses across the country.

Inducting the new executives into office last Friday, Prof Oquaye urged the journalists to be objective in their reportage in order to ensure development, noting that the media is very important in nation building. He also urged members of the press corps to be mindful of the truth and stand by it at all times.

"Truth is related to knowledge. If you don't know, ask and I think you will never stop learning. So long as you continue reporting from parliament, I would be glad if your reportage will be so professional that you will be looking at the truth and nothing but the truth," he said.

"If it is true, don’t fear anybody. Nevertheless, a journalist out of self-respect for himself or herself should be mindful of the truth and I will be very glad if you make this your watchdog.”

Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on his part also advised journalists to be objective and also seek to upgrade themselves in their profession.

He also urged the leadership of parliament to consider sponsoring some members of the PPC to pursue further education.

The Deputy Minority Leader, James Klutse Avedzi, encouraged journalists to engage in accurate reporting for their own integrity and the “people you are reporting for”.

"Work diligently to ensure that whatever parliament is doing in terms of its mandate as the people's representatives is brought to the notice of the general public,” he said.

He urged them to continue to do accurate reporting on proceedings in order to protect their integrity.

The outgoing Dean, Edwin Arthur, appealed to the leadership of parliament to help the press corps to surmount some of its challenges including internet connection, scholarship schemes, and an enabling environment to help them work effectively.

He called for the total independence of the press corps to ensure that it doesn’t operate directly under the Public Affairs Department of parliament.

“We need an independent press corps that can serve as watchdog over the activities of the house and partner the leadership and the institution to deepen parliamentary democracy and good governance in this country,” he said.

He also requested for a scholarship scheme to support members of the press corps interested in improving themselves academically, after which they could be bonded to serve parliament.

He also touched on the Media Development Fund that was set up in 2010 to help build the professional capacity of journalists in the country and asked parliament to find out how the fund was being disbursed so that organised press groups like the PPC can benefit from the fund.

The newly elected Dean, Nana Birikorang, also appealed to the leadership of parliament to help furnish the newly allocated office of the press corps with computers, fans, chairs, among others.

In all, six positions were contested for: the Dean of the Press Corps, Vice Dean of the Press Corps, the Secretary, Vice Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Organising Secretary.

Mr Nana Agyeman Birikorang of the Ghanaian Observer was elected Dean after obtaining 30 votes, representing 56.8 per cent to beat Mr Dominic Hlordzi of GBC Radio, who polled 23 votes, representing 43 per cent.

Simon Agianab of the Accra Times also polled 37 votes to beat Anthony Kwesi Koomson of the Punch, who had 13 votes, for the Vice Dean position.

Gilbert Ankrah of the Information Services Department (ISD) also polled 44 votes, the highest so far, representing 83% of the valid votes cast to beat his contender Clement Akoloh for the Treasurer position.

Stephen Odio-Larbi, who also contested unopposed for the Secretary position, polled 45 votes of the 53 ballots cast to maintain his former position.

Samuel Osei-Agyei of the Front Page, an online news portal, also polled 36 votes representing 67.9% to beat Jeorge Wilson Kingson of the Spy News Agency who polled 17 votes, representing 32.1% of the valid votes cast, for Organising Secretary position.

Christian Kpesese, who contested unopposed, also polled 40 votes representing 75.5 per cent to win the Vice Secretary position of the Press Corps.