Clerk to Parliament Urges Press to Uphold Ethics and Accountability in Strengthening Ghana’s Democracy
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, has called on members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) to recommit to the highest standards of ethical, factual, and responsible journalism as a vital tool in strengthening Ghana’s democracy and promoting transparent governance.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop for parliamentary correspondents, Mr. Djietror emphasized that the Press Corps must not be seen merely as reporters, but as strategic partners in governance with the power to influence public opinion and shape national discourse.
“You are the bridge between Parliament and the people,” he said. “Your work is not merely to act as a conveyor belt, but as a conduit — interpreting complex debates and making them accessible to ordinary citizens. Your reports shape national conversations. Your headlines draw attention. Your silence or choice of optics impacts public understanding.”
The workshop, organized by Parliament’s Media Relations Directorate, is part of Parliament’s long-term commitment to building a press corps that understands the institution, reports with fairness, and helps shape informed public discourse. It aims to equip journalists with deeper insight into legislative processes, improve reporting accuracy, and foster stronger collaboration between Parliament and the media.
Referencing Article 162 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees media freedom, Mr. Djietror reminded the Press Corps that this freedom comes with the responsibility to uphold accuracy, objectivity, transparency, fairness, and a strong grasp of parliamentary procedures.
He acknowledged the mounting challenges facing journalism today — including misinformation, sensationalism, and the pressure of speed-driven reporting — and emphasized the importance of continuous training.
“Workshops like this allow us to pause, reflect, and recommit to the ethics and discipline of parliamentary reporting,” he added. “This is not a one-time event. It is part of a broader effort to build a credible, professional, and informed parliamentary press corps.”
Mr. Djietror also assured the media of Parliament’s support in enhancing their work environment, including improved access to information, reforms to the accreditation process, and more open channels of engagement between the Press Corps and parliamentary leadership.
In his remarks, Dean of the Parliamentary Press Corps, Mr. Simon Agianab, expressed appreciation to Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and the Clerk for their recognition of the critical role journalists play in Parliament and for facilitating the organization of the workshop in record time.
Describing the initiative as a “game-changer,” Mr. Agianab said the training would enhance journalists’ ability to translate complex legislative issues into relatable content for the Ghanaian public.
“We are here to learn, to grow, and to become better at what we do — translating parliamentary procedures into clear, accessible stories that Ghanaians can understand and engage with,” he said.
He praised the workshop’s content, which includes sessions on media ethics, reporting best practices, and comparative lessons from other jurisdictions, saying it would significantly boost the credibility and professionalism of parliamentary reporting in Ghana.
Mr. Agianab also reiterated an earlier appeal made during the swearing-in of the Press Corps — calling on the Clerk to consider a modest monthly stipend to support the work of reporters covering Parliament.
He concluded by encouraging all participants to make the most of the training and carry its lessons forward into their everyday reporting, underscoring the press’s role in deepening democratic accountability and transparency.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com
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