Mobile Phones in Parliament: Speaker Bagbin resolves issues between Journalists and Parliament Security over the

Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. A.S.K Bagbin has stepped into the seeming impasse between members of the parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) and the Parliamentary Security (PS) over the use of phones in the press gallery by the former .

Since Tuesday, November 14, 2022 members of the PPC had to contend with the unfortunate information from the Marshall’s Department of Parliament that PPC members they cannot use phones at the Press Gallery where they operate from.

Having been targets and subsequently at the receiving end of this message, members of the corps, feeling threatened and intimidated by the security personnel saw one of them – Ernest Adu of Daily Guide put up a front page publication titled “Bagbin bans use of phones in Parliamentary Press Corps”.

Apparently hit badly by this publication the Speaker, exhibiting high sense of responsibility, maturity and good rapport with the PPC called an emergency meeting to explain issues.

Conspicuously worried about this publication which he said had caused him so much inconveniences, Speaker Bagbin told members of the PPC that “I Don’t remember having banned the use of phones in the Press Gallery!”

He intimated that even Members of Parliament, who are supposed to listen to proceedings in the House are often seen using phones in the chamber. “So why do I ban the use of phones in the Press Gallery knowing that it is with your phones you do your work?” he asked rhetorically.

According to the speaker he even intends establishing a Television Broadcasting station at Parliament, and so he will be the last to issue such a directive.

He pointed out that he is very aware of the fact that some reporters use their gadgets for their work. He however, urged them to use their gadgets professionally without putting others in danger.

He was quick to point out that the story should not have been attributed to him as a person. He maintained that had it been attributed to the speakership, the story would have been different. Rt. Hon. Bagbin subsequently indicated his intention to write a rejoiner to this story.

Madam Kate Addo, Director of Public Affairs thanked the speaker and apologized to him.

Kate Addo recounted how friendly and cordial the speaker had been with the Press in general and PPC in particular. She charged members not only to exhibit professionalism, but also be mindful of timeliness, adequacy and accuracy in their reportage.

By S.O Ankamah