The Speaker Of Ghana’s Parliament, Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin, has expressed his readiness to address the issue of members of parliament absenteeism from the floor of the house. Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin noted that in subsequent sittings he will let the world know some aspects that involves parliamentary activities and what the law say.
In recent days, concerns have been raised about the long absence of the Dome Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo from the house on health grounds. Speaking on the floor of Parliament today, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, has denied reports that he gave permission leading to her absent from Parliament.
“It’s important I diffuse some fake news, which is being circulated that I granted an interview to say that Adwoa Safo received permission from me to absent herself from Parliament on health grounds. I want it to be known by all; that I have not granted any such interview anywhere. I’ve not said anything like that anywhere, Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin added.
This development has also got some members of the public especially persons living in the constituency of Dome-Kwabenya asking what possibly could be leading to their MP staying out of parliament all this while. However majority members of Parliament have also expressed displeasure about the development stating that it has stalled activities of their side in parliament.
They accuse her of holding the Majority Caucus to ransom, considering the numbers needed to pass the E-levy bill. The Dome MP has also been accused of requesting to be made the Deputy Majority Leader and since her request is not been met her decision to stay out of Parliament.
An MP who is absent from Parliament for more than 15 days can be hauled before the Privileges Committee, which can lead to the seat being declared vacant per the constitution and parliamentary procedure. This clause some social commentators have asked to be exploited to have the issue resolved.
Hon. Alban Sumana Bagbin in some instances has suspended Parliamentary proceedings due to low number of MPs turn out on the floor.
