UNiMAC IJ Hosts Hon. Edem Agbana on the Art and Ethics of Parliamentary Lobbying

The Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Hon. Edem Agbana, recently engaged students and faculty at the University of Media, Arts and Communication - Institute of Journalism (UNiMAC IJ) as a guest lecturer, delivering an insightful address titled "Inside Influence: How MPs Lobby And Get Lobbied." Drawing from his active experience in the legislature, the lawmaker pulled back the curtain on the subtle mechanics of legislative influence, detailing how key decisions are framed, negotiated, and finalized within Parliament.

​During the lecture, Hon. Agbana tackled the dual nature of lobbying, explaining both sides of the coin: how MPs systematically push for development initiatives and policy changes for their constituents, and conversely, how corporate entities, civil society groups, and interest groups attempt to shape parliamentary outcomes. He emphasized that effective lobbying requires strategic communication, credible data, and strong relationship-building, warning future media professionals to look past surface-level debates to understand the underlying motives driving legislative policy.

​The presentation offered participants a valuable bridge between political communication theory and real-world governance. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where students engaged the Ketu North lawmaker on transparency, ethical considerations in public advocacy, and the vital role of the media in holding both lawmakers and lobbyists accountable.

@Volta Today