(VIDEOS) Absenteeism in Parliament a Major Concern – First Deputy Speaker
Deputy Speaker urges MPs to attend sittings regularly and focus on their parliamentary duties.
- Bernard Ahiafor raises concern over absenteeism in Parliament of Ghana.
- Dominic Nitiwul claims only 26 Majority MPs were present at the start of sitting.
- Alhaji Yusif Sulemana says attendance was enough for parliamentary work to continue.
The First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Bernard Ahiafor, has expressed concern over the increasing absenteeism of Members of Parliament (MPs), describing the situation as worrying.
He noted that MPs are elected to represent the interests of their constituents and must therefore be present to carry out their constitutional duties.
Mr. Ahiafor urged all lawmakers to attend parliamentary sittings regularly and fulfil their responsibilities as required by law.
He also cautioned the Minority caucus against pressing the government to take a position on the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, noting that such matters involve sensitive diplomatic and security considerations and should not dominate parliamentary proceedings.
His remarks followed a heated exchange on the floor of Parliament over the level of attendance by MPs during the day’s sitting.
During the debate, Dominic Nitiwul, MP for Bimbilla, claimed that out of 189 MPs on the Majority side, only 26 were present at the start of proceedings.
However, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, MP for Bole-Bamboi in the Savannah Region, Ghana, argued that the number of Majority MPs present was sufficient for parliamentary business to proceed.
He also used the opportunity to brief the Minority on the government’s 24-Hour Economy policy, highlighting its objectives and potential benefits.
From Prince Joe Boadi
