Today I visited Ghana’s Parliament. Sitting in on Parliament in session, one of the first things I noticed was how few Members of Parliament (MPs) were present- maybe around 10%. Granted, MPs were talking about projects/programs and responding to related questions from other MPs, and no voting took place while I watched- perhaps if there was voting, more would have been there.
Also, the “Madame Speaker” seemed to be the subject of great respect. Whenever she was about to sit in her chair up on a platform at the front of the chamber, a man would appear to not only help push in the chair, but also adjust a red pillow for her back. Microphone too far from her face? Not to fear- the same guy made sure to reappear and bend it slightly closer to her face for her. Also, I noticed the she would be bowed to sometimes, like if a person walked toward the center of the chamber.
After leaving the main chamber, we visited the library. Considering that this is the national legislative body, I was expecting something grander that what I saw- a single room with about 15 computers and a wall or two of books, maybe ten feet by 30 feet. However, Ghana’s MPs may be especially in need of a great library because- and here’s what really surprised me- they don’t have offices.
Yeah, that’s right, and lowly law student intern at an NGO can be given space in an office, but MPs aren’t given a place to call their own. Also, MPs aren’t given their own staff, or even a regional office. As anybody who’s been lost in an “office shuffle” and been desk-less can attest to, not having your own space can be downright challenging and frustrating. Call me crazy, but if these are the people representing a whole nation, they should at least have a space for themselves, or to put their cup of coffee. Oh wait, they DO have a place to put their coffee- there is an internet café within the building that MPs could use. But still, that’s not the same as a permanent desk.
Luckily, right behind one of the current Parliament buildings, a HUGE new building is being constructed- and word is this one will have offices for MPs.Today I visited Ghana’s Parliament. Sitting in on Parliament in session, one of the first things I noticed was how few Members of Parliament (MPs) were present- maybe around 10%. Granted, MPs were talking about projects/programs and responding to related questions from other MPs, and no voting took place while I watched- perhaps if there was voting, more would have been there.
Also, the “Madame Speaker” seemed to be the subject of great respect. Whenever she was about to sit in her chair up on a platform at the front of the chamber, a man would appear to not only help push in the chair, but also adjust a red pillow for her back. Microphone too far from her face? Not to fear- the same guy made sure to reappear and bend it slightly closer to her face for her. Also, I noticed the she would be bowed to sometimes, like if a person walked toward the center of the chamber.
After leaving the main chamber, we visited the library. Considering that this is the national legislative body, I was expecting something grander that what I saw- a single room with about 15 computers and a wall or two of books, maybe ten feet by 30 feet. However, Ghana’s MPs may be especially in need of a great library because- and here’s what really surprised me- they don’t have offices.
Yeah, that’s right, and lowly law student intern at an NGO can be given space in an office, but MPs aren’t given a place to call their own. Also, MPs aren’t given their own staff, or even a regional office. As anybody who’s been lost in an “office shuffle” and been desk-less can attest to, not having your own space can be downright challenging and frustrating. Call me crazy, but if these are the people representing a whole nation, they should at least have a space for themselves, or to put their cup of coffee. Oh wait, they DO have a place to put their coffee- there is an internet café within the building that MPs could use. But still, that’s not the same as a permanent desk.
Luckily, right behind one of the current Parliament buildings, a HUGE new building is being constructed- and word is this one will have offices for MPs.
Amanda you are not too far from right, but I think you could have done a more perfect work by going into detail why the MPs are not having office and test its effects on the surface of their performance.
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