Protect integrity of Parliament — Speaker
The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, has advised Members of Parliament (MPs) to be cautious about their engagement with the public in order to protect the image of the House.
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He said of late there had been some comments which had sought to tarnish the image of MPs but he did not give details.
Welcoming members to the House after a 12-week break, the Speaker expressed the hope that they would go by his caution.
He also urged them to conduct introspection and strive to live above reproach.
Mr Adjaho said the Parliamentary Service Board, at its last meeting, approved the establishment of a parliamentary training institute to facilitate the professional and leadership development of members and staff of the House.
To that end, he said a steering committee had been established to develop the curriculum of the institute, with the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Ebo Barton-Odro, as Chairman.
He named the other members as Mathias Puozaa (NDC, Daffiama/Busie/Issa), Papa Owusu Ankomah (NPP, Sekondi ), Mrs Bernice Heloo (NDC, Hohoe), Prof Dominic Fobih (NPP, Assin South), the Clerk of Parliament, Mr Emmanuel Anyimadu, and a former Clerk of Parliament, Mr Rex Owusu Ansah.
Mr Adjaho said the Standing Orders of the House had been reviewed, with the assistance of Star Ghana, and added that a meeting would soon be convened to hold further discussions on them.
Office of Scrutiny
He informed the House that by the end of this year the Office of Scrutiny would be fully functional.
That office, he said, would monitor the work of Parliament and advise the House in the performance of its legislative functions.
Job 600 and police post
The Speaker indicated that the rehabilitation and refurbishment of the Job 600 Office Complex had been completed and added that a programme for the occupation of the building would soon be announced.
He said a police station had also been established within the precincts of Parliament to ensure the security of members, their property and equipment.
NDC primaries
Mr Adjaho acknowledged the fact that parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would be held in the next 10 days and expressed the hope that they would not interfere with the business of the House.
He wished all MPs seeking to contest the primaries good luck.