The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Alban Sumani Kingsford Bagbin, has announced that Parliament will soon establish an institute for parliamentary studies to help in the nurturing of the country's parliamentary democracy. He stated that beside the establishment of the institute, discussions were going on between Parliament and OIMPA for the institution of a course in parliamentary democracy to nurture democratic dispensation on the African continent. Mr Bagbin announced this when he addressed the opening session of a day's workshop for members of the Forum for Former Members of Parliament (MPs) in Accra Wednesday. The workshop, held on the theme: "The Role of Former Members of Parliament in Promoting and Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy", was attended by 54 former MPs across the political divide. He stated that the high attrition rate in Parliament had resulted in the re-invention of a number of things that had already taken place in the House. Mr Bagbin said it had, therefore, become necessary for the House to rely on the experience and expertise of former MPs to provide new MPs with practical approach to the work of Parliament. He thanked leaders of the forum for working tirelessly to bring their idea to fruition and asked them to come up with a draft proposal that could be enacted as a law for the institution of a social welfare scheme for MPs. Mr Bagbin noted that it was only through such a scheme that MPs would be able to have a reliable livelihood when they were no more the representatives of their people in Parliament. "Former MPs also deserve a better package," he said, adding that the despicable state of some former MPs was likely to have a negative effect on the performance of some current MPs. He noted that until MPs were given the due regard and their work facilitated, it would be difficult for the country to achieve its ultimate aim of entrenching democracy, since Parliament was not only the fulcrum but also the heartbeat of democracy. He gave the assurance that Parliament would provide the forum with an office accommodation and logistics to enable it to stand on its feet. For his part, the President of the forum, Mr Kosi Kedem, said the forum was extremely anxious to play an active role in promoting, sustaining and strengthening the country’s parliamentary democracy. He thanked the President for appreciating and recognising the worth of former MPs by giving some of them the chance to serve in the current government so that their rich experience, skills and potentials could be put to maximum use. "Your Excellency, don't listen to those who tell you that we are old and retarded. We are still active and mentally alert. It is true that we are retired MPs, but we are certainly not retarded," he said. He reminded the President that the forum was reliably informed that the Council of State had been asked to review the Hesse Committee report and explained that the committee was actually set up for the 2001 – 2004 Parliament. "We therefore want to alert you that the review will only be complete and conclusive if it gives attention to concerns of members of the Third Parliament of the Fourth Republic," he said. A Minister of State at the Presidency and MP for Wa Central, Mr Rashid Pelpuo, who represented the Vice-President, Mr John Mahama, assured MPs that the government would do all it could to strengthen Parliament. He said the institution of a fund for the MPs and the provision of research assistants to MPs as announced by the President were enough proof of the government's quest to improve the lots of MPs and strengthen Parliament as the fulcrum of the country's democracy. Source: Daily Graphic