The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has underscored the relevance of building the capacity of staff of the Parliamentary Service as crucial in ensuring excellence in legislative governance.
According to him, enhancing staff competency is the surest way to effective service delivery and improved productivity, hence the need to prioritize capacity building of parliamentary staff.
The Speaker made this statement during the opening ceremony of a four–day professional development training programme for senior officials of the Parliamentary Service and reiterated that since he assumed the role of Speaker and Chairman of the Parliamentary Service Board, he has made it a priority to promote capacity building.
He indicated that the recent implementation of a new organogram for the Parliamentary Service has resulted in expanded functional areas and more challenging roles, particularly for senior management officials.
In view of this, he disclosed that the board has appointed some key officers to occupy some of the vacant positions while efforts are being made to complete the rest of the appointment process.
“This professional training you are about to undergo is not only timely but vital in preparing you to effectively perform in your new roles under the current organogram as well as navigate and lead through the implementation of our ambitious goals for the next five years. This is particularly crucial in the wake of the ongoing implementation of a robust performance management system to recognise and reward excellence and foster a culture of accountability within the Parliamentary Service,” he added.
He further stated that he has initiated the process for the development of a new five-year Corporate Strategic Plan to replace the old one which ends this year. According to him, the new plan will provide strategic direction for Parliament for the next five years to align with the evolving goals and the dynamic legislative landscape.
“As we embark on the development of our new Corporate Strategic Plan, it is essential that each one of you, as leaders and key contributors to our legislative body, are equipped with the skills and knowledge to drive this vision forward. The plan’s success hinges on our collective ability to execute strategies effectively, manage challenges efficiently, and seize opportunities to innovate and improve,” he added.
The Clerk to Parliament, Cyril Oteng Nsiah, in his welcome remarks, alluded to capacity building efforts and their importance to the effective performance of staff of the Parliamentary Service.
“The insights and skills you will acquire are not just for your personal growth but are crucial for the collective advancement and efficacy of our Parliament,” he noted.
Topics covered during the training section include; emotional intelligence, resiliency, effective leadership, proficiency in negotiation and presentation skills.
The event was organised by the Parliamentary Service in collaboration with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) from the United States of America.
