Workshop for Parliamentary Press Corps opens

Accra, Feb. 6 GNA - Mr Felix Owusu Adjapong, Majority Leader in Parliament, on Monday called for a professional and dedicated press corps, which was abreast with issues that were discussed on the floor of the House.

Speaking at a day's workshop for the Parliamentary Press Corps, Mr Adjapong said reporters with high level of understanding, neutrality and good and effective grasp in the use of language, were needed to enhance democratic practice by adequately explaining issues to the public. The workshop would equip members of the Parliamentary Press Corps with the requisite knowledge on the operations of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to enable them to better play their roles on financial issues that come before Parliament.

Mr Adjapong said reporters would be doing a great deal of service to themselves and the public by undertaking a thorough research on subjects and getting acquainted with the work in Parliament through a study of the standing orders as well as the terms used in the House. This, Mr Adjapong said, was important if they were not to create confusion in the minds of the public through wrong reportage of the issues and proceedings in the House.

Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, said the press should be seen as an essential partner in the quest for good governance and democracy. He re-echoed the sentiments of the Majority Leader for a specialized press corps, saying the frequent changes in personnel by the media houses did not allow for acquisition of in-depth knowledge and experience by reporters.

Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, said reporting on Parliamentary proceedings was a dynamic field that kept on changing and stressed the need for capacity building to enhance the country's development.

Mr Baah-Wiredu charged the media to be innovative and circumspect in their reportage for the peace of the nation.

Mr Edwin Arthur, Dean of the Parliamentary Press Corps, in his welcoming address, said the press could only report effectively if they clearly understood the issues discussed in the House.

He said he was happy that the members of the Press Corps had accepted the challenge to broaden their intellectual scope. Mr Arthur assured the public that the Press Corps would make good use of the opportunity to improve upon the reportage on financial matters.