Asiedu Nketiah shouldn’t serve on Parliamentary Service Board – NMC Chairman

The Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC) has expressed worry over the membership of political leaders on the Parliamentary Service Board.

Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafo contends that the existence of the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, on Parliament’s Advisory Board compromises the objectivity and neutrality that the House is supposed to maintain.

Speaking at a dialogue with the core leadership of Parliament, which was organised by the Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs on Tuesday, Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo said for a political leader to be on Parliament’s advisory Board, the objectivity and neutrality that the House is supposed to maintain could be compromised.

“Sometimes, we need to look beyond now into the future. Peter Ala Adjetey was a member of the NMC, and because of him, the Constitution was amended to say that anybody who holds political office should not be a member of the NMC.

“So if anybody holding political office cannot be a member of the Commission, how can somebody leading a political party advice the Speaker who is supposed to demonstrate objectivity and neutrality of the highest sense,” he asked.

Mr Boadu-Ayeboafo noted that although the current arrangement for political leaders to be on Parliament’s advisory Board appears beneficial, the future consequences are dire.

“There was this concern that now Mr Asiedu Nketia is the Chairman of the NDC; he should not be part of the advisory group to the Speaker and serve on the Board, he disagreed. There are certain things that have immediate benefit to us but the long-term consequences are not good,” he explained.

Johnson Asiedu Nketiah was named as part of four persons to constitute the new Parliamentary Service Board in March 2021 by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.

Mr Bagbin announced the names following a report he received from a special advisory committee set up for that purpose.

But his inclusion on the Board raised concerns given his role as then General Secretary of the NDC. The Speaker and Mr Nketiah himself justified the membership because he [Mr. Nketiah] met the necessary requirements.

The Parliamentary Service is governed by the Parliamentary Service Board, which is composed of the Speaker as Chairman; four other members appointed by the Speaker, acting in accordance with the advice of a Committee of Parliament; and the Clerk of Parliament.

The Board is responsible for promoting the welfare of Members of Parliament and Staff of the Service.

It also has general control of the management of the Service in matters of policy.

The Speaker has ultimate responsibility for the Service.