Deputy Clerk urges New Parliamentary Staff to Commit to Selfless Service to Enhance Democracy
Dr. Mrs. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, Deputy Clerk in charge of Corporate and Financial Management Services (C&FMS) at Parliament House, has charged newly recruited staff of the Parliamentary Service to demonstrate selfless dedication and uphold professionalism in the execution of their duties.
Speaking on behalf of the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, at the opening of the 2025 Graduate Entry Training Programme at Parliament House on Monday, Dr. Kumawu stressed the importance of capacity building in strengthening parliamentary democracy and delivering efficient public service.
“Enhancing staff competencies is the surest way to effective service delivery and improved productivity,” she stated, highlighting the institutional commitment to training and development.
The Graduate Entry Training Programme, which is being run by the Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI), aims to prepare newly recruited graduates for the demands of their roles under the new organogram of the Parliamentary Service.
The program has become a statutory requirement, per Regulation 25.1 of the Parliamentary Service Staff Regulations (C.I. 118).
Dr. Kumawu noted that the recent restructuring of the Service’s organogram had led to expanded responsibilities, particularly for senior management, and required a renewed emphasis on skill acquisition and professional ethics.
“This professional training is not only timely but vital in preparing you to effectively perform your new roles under the current structure of the service,” she emphasized.
“You may have entered with degrees, but from today, you come not just as employees, but as learners ready to be challenged, disciplined, and shaped into the future of this institution.”
She encouraged the recruits to commit fully to the three-month training and internalize the values of accountability, neutrality, and integrity, which are central to the work of Parliament.
“Your role as staff is central to the preservation of democracy. You serve as a bridge between Parliament and the people. Therefore, your service must reflect transparency, professionalism, and dedication,” Dr. Kumawu said.
She added that management, under the leadership of the Speaker and the Clerk to Parliament, remains committed to staff welfare and development.
“We believe in investing in our staff because the growth and success of Parliament depend on your competence. Your well-being is our priority, and management will continue to ensure that the environment is conducive for learning and service.”
Declaring the training officially open on behalf of the Clerk, she urged participants to embrace the opportunity and strive for excellence.
Multi-Institutional Approach to Capacity Building
Dr. Ernest Darfour, Head of the Parliamentary Training Institute, explained that the three-month intensive program is structured around four key thematic areas delivered through partnerships with the University of Ghana Business School, the Ghana Civil Service Training Centre, and the Government Secretarial School.
“Participants will rotate through the three centers, work on assignments, and upon meeting all requirements, receive a certificate of competency,” Dr. Darfour explained.
He emphasized that the program is designed to foster professionalism and is a prerequisite for promotion within the Service.
Experts Applaud Parliament’s Reform Agenda
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Justice Nyigmah Bawole, the immediate past Dean of the University of Ghana Business School, commended Parliament’s ongoing reforms, particularly the Open Parliament Initiative, which aims to promote transparency and civic participation.
“Leadership is not just about positions. Every staff member can demonstrate leadership through initiative and impact,” he said, urging participants to view their work as transformative, not merely administrative.
Mrs. Eva Tandoh, representing the Civil Service Training Centre, emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards in the public sector, particularly in Parliament.
“This training is crucial because of the high expectations and responsibilities placed on Parliamentary staff,” she said, commending PTI for its continued efforts in building capacity.
Other resourced persons, including Mr. Solomon Nobi Amanor of the Government Secretarial School, applauded the Speaker of Parliament, the Parliamentary Service Board, and management for their continued investment in human capital.
Over 150 newly recruit staff are been trained on the parliamentary and public administration to equip them to offer the needed services to enhance parliamentary democracy.
Source: Felix Nyaaba/expressnewsghana.com
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