Lets preserve institutional memories – Speaker

Governance institutions in developing countries must prioritise the preservation of institutional experiences and memories, the Speaker of Parliament Alban S. K Bagbin has advocated.

This he said was necessary for continuity whiles also ensuring that people have access to accurate historical facts and data.

The Speaker made this remark during a courtesy call on him by a delegation from the Sierra Leonean Parliamentary Service Commission led by Mr. Hassan Abdul Sesay, opposition whip for the Sierra Leonean parliament.

The delegation is in the country among other things to interact with their counterparts here in Ghana, learn best practice and exchange ideas. The team is hoping to use this visit to create a platform for networking between the parliaments of both countries.

Speaker Bagbin in welcoming the delegation called for promotion of similar exchange visits among parliamentary commissions and services across the continent.

He said there is the need for the major stakeholders of the legislature in Ghana to commence discussions around establishing a Council modeled like the council of state to advise and guide the Speaker and Members of Parliament to effectively discharge their duties.

The leader of the Sierra Leonean delegation, Hassan Abdul Sesay commended Speaker Bagbin for his exemplary leadership. He said Ghana has a lot of democratic credentials to share particularly building strong and independent institutions.

Cardinal among the reasons for their visit he said was to learn the various schemes and legislations put in place to determine the conditions of service of members retiring from parliament.