Members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) have been charged to strengthen their understanding of economic policy and public finance reporting in order to improve the quality of parliamentary journalism in Ghana.
The call was made by Simon Agianab, Dean of the Press Corps, during the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop organized by the World Bank and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Addressing participants at the workshop in Koforidua during the weekend, Mr. Agianab pointed out that the Corps plays a crucial role in connecting the work of Parliament with the Ghanaian public.
“The Parliamentary Press Corps occupies a unique and critical position within our democratic architecture. As journalists assigned to cover the work of Parliament, we serve as a bridge between the nation’s law-making body and the citizens whose lives are shaped by decisions taken by the House,” he stated.
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He emphasized that parliamentary journalism goes beyond reporting proceedings.
“Our responsibility goes beyond merely reporting proceedings; it involves interpreting complex legislative and policy discussions and presenting them in ways that are meaningful and accessible to the Ghanaian public,” he added.
The evolving economic and governance landscape, he said, has made parliamentary reporting more demanding, particularly when dealing with complex financial and policy issues.
“Economic policies, fiscal decisions, and public financial management issues are often presented in technical language that can be difficult for the ordinary citizen to understand,” he said.
“It is therefore essential that members of the Parliamentary Press Corps are adequately equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to interpret these issues accurately and communicate them effectively.”
The workshop is expected to equip the memberss with a better understanding of key economic topics that frequently arise in parliamentary debates.
Mr. Agianab expressed hope that participants would gain deeper insights into areas such as public debt management, the national budget statement, the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, and reports from the Auditor-General.
“A better grasp of these subjects will enable us to provide more accurate, insightful, and engaging reports that enhance public understanding and strengthen democratic accountability,” he said.
The Dean expressed appreciation to the organizers for what he described as a timely initiative aimed at enhancing the professional capacity of journalists assigned to cover Parliament.
He commended the World Bank and FCDO for their continued support for media development and democratic governance in Ghana.
“Your continued support for media development and democratic governance in Ghana is deeply appreciated,” he stressed.