NCCE launches parliamentary book

A 122-page book on the functions and procedures of Ghana’s Parliament, was on Wednesday launched in Ho.

The book titled: “Parliament of Ghana’s Fourth Republic: Structure, Practice and Procedures,” is to fill the knowledge gap on the work of Parliament in Ghana.

At a public lecture to launch the book, the author, Mr Harrison Belley, Communication and Corporate Affairs Director of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), commended parliamentarians for their enormous contribution to democracy in the country.

He observed that laws passed by Ghana’s Parliament were among the best laws in Africa contrary to public perception that Ghanaian parliamentarians do nothing at Parliament.

Mr Belley said research revealed that averagely, parliamentarians in Ghana pass a total of 84 laws in a year, and said that was a demonstration of how hardworking the Members of Parliament (MPs) were.

He said most of the work of MPs was at committee levels and called on the public to support them to work harder for the country.

On the issue of the core function of MPs, Mr Belley said they were fundamentally lawmakers but could also be seen as agents of development because they access MPs’ Common Fund and other financial facilities, which they were supposed to use for development projects.

He asked MPs to make judicious use of their holidays and interact with their constituents regularly.

Mr Francis Ganyaglo, Kpando Municipal Assembly Chief Executive, said demands made by chiefs and the public were compelling MPs to act as development agents.

He said the Assemblies rather than MP were supposed to play the role of development agents.

The first copy of the book was bought at GH¢1,500.

Source: GNA