The three-day parliamentary orientation workshop, aimed at equipping lawmakers with essential skills and knowledge, concludes today, March 3, at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho.

However, the event has been marked by the absence of the Minority Caucus, who boycotted the programme over concerns regarding its cost.

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, confirmed their withdrawal, stating that the Minority had formally protested the financial implications of the workshop. “Their reason is that the cost component is too much, and they don’t want to be part of that,” he revealed during the opening ceremony.

While the exact cost of the event remains undisclosed, the Speaker expressed disappointment over the Minority’s decision, emphasizing that the orientation was crucial for both new and returning members. He stressed that such training sessions play a vital role in strengthening parliamentary procedures and democracy in Ghana.

Explaining the choice of venue, Speaker Bagbin noted that the selection process involved a thorough evaluation by a designated team.

“There is a good reason why we choose venues for this, it’s not partisan – there is always a search party and they go around, discuss with the various hospitalities, look at the cost components, their facilities, their suitability, and the convenience of your movement because there are other pressures on you and there are score marks before we decide where to go,” he explained.

According to him, Volta Serene Hotel emerged as the most suitable venue based on these criteria.

The workshop covered topics such as the code of conduct for MPs, their rights and obligations, parliamentary procedures, lobbying, advocacy, and debating skills. It was designed to provide lawmakers, especially first-time members, with the necessary tools to effectively navigate their roles in the legislature.

Despite the Minority’s absence, the programme proceeded as planned, with participants engaging in discussions aimed at enhancing their effectiveness in Ghana’s legislative process.