Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has expressed strong disappointment over the persistent absenteeism of some Members of Parliament (MPs), warning that disciplinary measures will be taken against those who continue to miss sittings without permission.
Addressing the House on Wednesday, Mr. Bagbin revealed that he had received attendance reports for the first and second meetings of the current session but had opted not to publish them, hoping the move would encourage better attendance.
However, he admitted that the decision had backfired.
“It looks like that was a catastrophic mistake I made,” the Speaker said. “I should have brought it out and referred members to the Privileges Committee.”
Mr. Bagbin disclosed that he has now directed parliamentary clerks to keep detailed attendance records for the ongoing meeting and emphasized that MPs who fail to attend sessions without valid reasons will face sanctions in line with the Standing Orders of Parliament.
“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,” he warned.
, warning that disciplinary measures will be taken against those who continue to miss sittings without permission.){kind=link}