West African Parliamentary Press Corps Formed
ABUJA, Nov 25(THEWILL) – Determined to further deepen best legislative practices in the West African sub region, a professional body to ensure effective media coverage of national parliaments in the region has been established.
The new organization, the West African Parliamentary Press Corp (WAPPC) with General Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria was inaugurated by the Majority Leader of the Parliament of Ghana Hon. Cletus Avoka at a ceremony attended by government officials from various West African countries in Accra, Ghana.
A Nigerian journalist, Richard Ihediwa of the Peoples Daily Newspaper emerged first Secretary General of the organization at the event. Edwin Andrew Arthur from Ghana was elected President of the association. Three other Nigerian journalists, Mr. James Ojo of the Sun Newspaper; Cosmas Ekpunobi of the Champion Newspaper and Nneka Amechi Nnadi of The Tide were also elected as members of the technical working committees of the association.
Speaking at the occasion, Avoka charged members of the association to use the association as a platform to ensure best practice in the coverage of parliaments in their countries for higher legislative productivity.
He urged them to study each member country's constitution, standing orders, parliamentary practices and procedures thoroughly, to ensure that their reportage is strictly within the confines of the law and parliamentary regulations.
Speaking at the occasion, leader of the Nigeria delegation and Chairman Senate Press Corp, Mr. Cosmas Ekpunobi expressed optimism that the organization would bring benefits to countries in the sub regions as it will help deepen democratic and legislative practices.
Others in the Nigerian delegation at the Accra conference include, Augustine Ehikioya of the Nation; Francis Etuko of Love FM; Gbemiga Olamikan of The Vanguard and Lanre Lasisi of the Channels TV.
WAPPC, which was initiated by parliamentary reporters from Ghana and Nigeria is a regional platform for professional synergy among journalists covering parliaments in the West Africa sub-region.