By Our Democracy News GH

ACCRA, October 16, 2026 — The Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahomah Djietror, has renewed calls for urgent investment in Parliament’s infrastructure, warning that inadequate office space, meeting rooms and committee facilities are constraining legislative work, oversight activities and parliamentary reporting.

Mr Djietror said the existing facilities were insufficient to meet the growing demands of parliamentary business, making it difficult for lawmakers, parliamentary caucuses, committees and government officials to conduct their work efficiently.

Addressing a two-day workshop for members of the Parliamentary Press Corps in Accra on Thursday, October 15, 2026, he called for improved workspaces, meeting rooms, division rooms and designated lobbies to facilitate engagements among Members of Parliament, ministers and parliamentary caucuses.

“It is for these reasons that we need to look critically at the infrastructure development,” he said.

The Clerk stressed that adequate facilities were essential for Parliament to discharge its legislative and oversight responsibilities effectively.

Inadequate Facilities Affect Committee Work

Mr Djietror highlighted the challenges parliamentary committees face when scrutinising the operations and expenditure of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

He explained that committee meetings often involve large delegations, including chief executives, their deputies and officials responsible for legal affairs, finance, budgeting and auditing, making the shortage of suitable meeting spaces a practical obstacle.

“Look at our workspace. Then the committee, members of the committee. Look at the workspace. You can see that there’s a practical problem,” he said.

He argued that improving Parliament’s infrastructure would strengthen committee scrutiny and provide a more conducive environment for examining government policies, expenditure and institutional performance.

Limited Workspace Affects Parliamentary Reporting

The Clerk also drew attention to the challenges inadequate facilities pose for journalists covering parliamentary proceedings, warning that a lack of suitable working space could delay news publication and limit the timely dissemination of information to the public.

He dismissed the perception that parliamentary correspondents spend only a few hours at the House, noting that their assignments often require them to remain on the premises for extended periods.

“Sometimes you are here for 16 hours. 12 hours,” he stressed.

Mr Djietror explained that journalists without appropriate workspaces may have to travel to their offices before processing and publishing their reports, potentially delaying important parliamentary news.

“If you have no workspace, you have to travel to your office before you do the reporting. Sometimes the news may come late,” he said.

He urged journalists to report responsibly on the challenges confronting Parliament to help the public understand the need for improved facilities.

Clerk Urges Balanced and Responsible Reporting

Beyond infrastructure development, Mr Djietror emphasised the media’s role in promoting democratic governance, describing journalists as indispensable partners in communicating Parliament’s work to citizens.

“The media is an indispensable partner in democratic government,” he said.

He noted that accurate and balanced reporting helps citizens understand legislative decisions, government policies and the conduct of elected representatives.

The Clerk urged members of the Parliamentary Press Corps to maintain professionalism, integrity and objectivity when covering both the Majority and Minority caucuses.

“You may have friends on either side of the House, but make sure in the discharge of your duties, you are guided, properly guided,” he said.

He cautioned journalists against reporting practices that unnecessarily intensify political disagreements, urging them instead to clarify issues and provide the public with accurate information.

“Your role as the media is not to create confusion, but to better elucidate,” he stated.

Mr Djietror encouraged parliamentary correspondents to continue carrying out their responsibilities diligently, adding that improved infrastructure and responsible journalism would contribute to stronger public understanding of Parliament and greater democratic accountability.