Better Ghana Grips MPs �

The Better Ghana Agenda seems to have gripped Parliament as Members of Parliament (MPs) resumed sitting yesterday with a reconfigured chamber to accommodate the 275 legislators. The reconfigured chamber has new smaller sized electronic workstations, microphones and chairs. In addition, it also has new carpet, new ceiling and lights. Speaker of parliament, Edward Doe Adjaho in his opening remarks to welcome the MPs said the reconfiguration was �in fulfillment of the pledge made by the Parliamentary Service Board to deliver a completely re-configured chamber by 31st October 2014, so as to enable the House resume sitting in the first week of November 2014.� Mr. Adjaho said the re-furbished chamber enabled the expansion of its seating capacity and eliminated the earlier discomfort experienced by members resulting from crowding members in seating space designed for 230 members. Prior to the reconfiguration, the 275 MPs were using a facility originally designed for 230 members making them share microphones, some of which were not properly functioning and have difficulty moving from one place to another. The Speaker said they now have new leather chairs replacing the about 20 year-old ones, new robotic video cameras for television Parliament, new extra-large television and voting screens displays, new chandelier and more. According to him, the washrooms have also been expanded and �for the first time provision made for its use by physically challenged persons� and also �provisions made for physically challenged persons to enter and exit the chamber.� He added that the computer consoles on the tables have been installed with legislative software and has the capacity to ensure that various parliamentary papers such as order papers, votes and proceedings, committee reports, and bills are accessed electronically. It could also enable members electronically express their vote if required. The contractor for the project was China State Haulong Construction limited with ADK Consortium and Electronic Suppliers and Engineering Services as consultants. The speaker further stated that soon, they will have decent office accommodation for the leadership, members and some staff of the parliamentary service as civil works are almost completed and procurement of furniture and furnishing in process. He said some members of the leadership and MPs, as well as technical experts travelled to Italy to inspect and confirm the various facilities and units of furniture prior to their being shipped to Ghana. During this meeting, Mr. Adjaho said, they will be dealing with the Financial Policy and Budget Statement for the year 2015 and also urged the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies to respect the time table of the House and submit their legislative and other proposals on schedule.