Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has expressed deep frustration over the persistent absenteeism of some Members of Parliament (MPs), warning that disciplinary actions will soon be taken against those who fail to attend sittings.
Addressing the House on Wednesday, Mr. Bagbin revealed that he had received attendance reports for the first and second meetings of Parliament but chose not to publish them, hoping the situation would improve.
“It looks like that was a catastrophic mistake I made,” he admitted. “I should have brought it out and referred members to the Privileges Committee.”
The Speaker said he has now directed parliamentary clerks to strictly record attendance for the current meeting to ensure accountability. He cautioned that MPs who continue to absent themselves without permission risk losing their seats under Parliament’s standing orders.
“I have given directives to the clerks at the table to take the records for this meeting. We will be taking action to compel members to sit or to be considered to have vacated their seats,” Mr. Bagbin stated.
