Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Samuel Atta Akyea has denied reports citing him among 44 MPs who constantly absent themselves from parliament without permission.
The report, filed by Odekro, a parliament-focused civil society group, cited Mr. Atta Akyea and 43 other MPs to have flouted the laws governing parliament by absenting themselves from the House for 15 sittings without permission.
“…they should be asked to vacate their seats in line with Article 97(1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana” the report stated.
Odekro wants the absentees to be summoned before the Privileges Committee of parliament to explain themselves as required by the same constitution.
But reacting to the report on Joy FM's Super Morning Show Tuesday, Mr. Atta Akyea who doubles as the Works and Housing minister denies absenting himself for that long.
“As a matter of fact, I have never done that”, he said. “If you go into the chamber and don’t see an MP, that doesn’t mean he was absent from parliament”, he added.
Mr. Atta Akyea said cabinet meetings sometimes coincide with parliamentary sittings and that can account for him being absent from parliament.
“…but when it’s relevant I could sit in to contribute to businesses that affect my ministry and other matters of significance,” he said.
But I don’t think I have absented myself for 15 days, he maintained.
The minister believes the Privileges Committee can appreciate his conflicting work schedule if it is indeed confirmed that he has been actually absent for that long without permission.
“When it relates to ministers, the committee must look at the situation from another angle”, he added.
He was quick to add that non-ministers who are MPs do not have any excuse to absent themselves from sittings.
NDC MP for Asawase Mubarak Muntaka who is also the Minority Chief Whip explained that the fact that an MP did not sign the attendance book doesn’t mean, the politician was absent from the chamber.
Mubarak Muntaka
He also indicated that some MPs don’t ask permission because they are on official duty for parliament, citing the MPs who are part of the West African parliament.
“Do I still have to write a leave of absence when parliamentary duties take me out of sittings?”, he asked.
He stated that the majority of Minority MPs who were absent from parliament last Monday were doing their estimates and attending committee meetings.
Latest Stories
-
Herman Suede is set to release ‘How Dare You’ on April 24
2 hours -
Heal KATH: Kuapa Kokoo, Association of Garages donate 120k to support project
2 hours -
KNUST signs MOU with Valco Trust Fund, Bekwai Municipal Hospital to build student hostel
3 hours -
The influence Ronaldo has on people, Cadman Yamoah will have same on the next generation – Coach Goodwin
3 hours -
Gender Advocate Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee Wins prestigious Merck Foundation Awards
4 hours -
South Africa bursary scandal suspects granted bail
5 hours -
Ecobank successfully repays $500m Eurobond due April 18
5 hours -
Re: Doe Adjaho, Torgbui Samlafo IV, call for Unity among Paramountcies in Anlo
5 hours -
Extortion and kidnap – a deadly journey across Mexico into the US
5 hours -
Rihanna says fashion has helped her personal ‘rediscovery’ after having children
5 hours -
Development Bank Ghana targets GH¢1bn funding for commercial banks in 2024
5 hours -
Shatta Movement apologises to Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled after backlash
6 hours -
Sammy Gyamfi writes: Tema-Mpakadan Railway Project; A railway line to nowhere
6 hours -
Bright Simons: Is the World Bank saving or harming Ghana?
7 hours -
CAF Cup: RS Berkane banned from entering Algeria because of a map of Morocco with its Sahara
7 hours