 at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, despite a boycott by the Minority caucus over concerns regarding the cost of the event.){kind=link}
Ghana’s Parliament has commenced a three-day orientation workshop for Members of Parliament (MPs) at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, despite a boycott by the Minority caucus over concerns regarding the cost of the event.
The workshop, organized by the Parliamentary Training Institute (PTI), began on Saturday, March 1, 2025, and is expected to conclude on Monday, March 3. The program aims to equip MPs with essential knowledge and skills to enhance their legislative duties.
However, the Minority caucus, made up of New Patriotic Party (NPP) MPs, has refused to participate, citing concerns over the financial implications of hosting the event outside Accra. Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh argued that Parliament House would have been a more cost-effective venue, aligning with recent austerity measures introduced by President John Mahama.
President Mahama’s cost-cutting initiatives include reducing ministerial appointments and scaling down Independence Day celebrations, a move that the Minority believes should extend to parliamentary expenses as well.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has described the boycott as regrettable and unjustified. Defending the decision to host the event in Ho, he stated that a thorough assessment was conducted before selecting the Volta Serene Hotel as the most suitable venue.
The workshop covers key areas such as parliamentary procedures, lobbying, and advocacy, all of which are essential for MPs to execute their legislative duties effectively. Despite the Minority’s absence, the event continues as planned, with MPs in attendance engaging in discussions to enhance governance and parliamentary operations.