Former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development in the erstwhile John Agyekum Kufuor administration, Kwadwo Agyei Darko is urging Ghanaians to punish absentee Members of Parliament (MPs) in the December polls.

Speaking in an interview with the Adom News Bono Regional correspondent, Christian Ofori Kumah, he expressed worry over the rampant absenteeism of MPs in Parliament.

He stated that constituents have the power to punish their MPs by voting against them at the polls if they fail to attend sittings.

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This comes after the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, was forced to adjourn proceedings on July 15 due to low attendance, with only 24 MPs present.

That was not the first time the Speaker had to adjourn sitting. This conduct by the MPs many argue is affecting government business.

But Mr. Agyei Darko who is also a former MP for Sunyani West Constituency emphasized that MPs are accountable to their constituents and should be judged based on their performance.

He said the current crop of MPs are ‘not serious’ and called on constituents to take action.

The former Local Government Minister stressed that, the biggest punishment for an MP is for constituents to vote him or her out of office.

Mr. Agyei Darko encouraged Ghanaians to take an active role in holding their elected representatives accountable.