The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nalerigu/Gambaga, Mumuni Nurideen Muhammed, has attributed the widely criticised absenteeism among lawmakers to a non-conducive working environment caused by malfunctioning air-conditioners at the Job 600 office complex.

The MP's comments, made on the floor of Parliament on Friday, November 7, 2025, came as the House faced increasing public scrutiny following an official report detailing rampant, unexcused absences by dozens of lawmakers.

Raising the issue during proceedings, Mr. Nurideen appealed directly to the Leader of Government Business to address the infrastructural failures in the multi-million dollar Job 600 facility, arguing that the stifling heat was a major deterrent to attendance.

“...For some time now, members of this House have put up complaints to the Majority Leader and the Leader of Government Business about the office air conditioners, and up till now, we have not seen any action from the Leader of Government Business.”

He linked the lack of functional air conditioning directly to the high rate of missed sittings, suggesting MPs have nowhere comfortable to work while waiting for proceedings.

“Some of these air conditioners not working have contributed to the members not coming to Parliament because if you come to Parliament and you do not have anywhere to sit in the Chamber, it makes it difficult for some of these Members of Parliament. I am pleading with the Leader of Government Business to, as a matter of urgency, look into it so that we will see how best the air conditioners can be fixed for members,” he stated.

Majority Leader Rejects 'Air Conditioner Excuse'

The justification, however, was swiftly and sharply dismissed by the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, who insisted that the comfort level of the offices could not supersede MPs' constitutional duty to represent their constituents.

“I agree with you that we need to urgently fix the air conditioners, but your challenges with the air conditioners cannot be grounds for not showing up. If you give that indication to the public, you are essentially telling civil servants that when the air conditioner in their offices is not working, they should also not go to work,” he retorted.

Mr. Ayariga's rebuke highlighted the potential for the explanation to set a negative precedent across the public sector, where many workers operate in less comfortable conditions without abandoning their posts.

Who is Missing Sittings?

The fiery exchange follows the release of a damaging attendance report covering 43 sittings between January and March 2025.

The report revealed that numerous MPs missed sessions for extended periods without official leave, violating parliamentary standing orders.

The report listed some of the most frequent absentees during this three-month period:

MP	Constituency	Days Missed (Unexcused)
Joseph Frempong	Nkawkaw	22 days
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson	Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam	17 days
Blay Nyameke Armah	Sekondi	16 days
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa	North Tongu	14 days
Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie	Effiduase/Asokore	14 days

According to Article 97(1)(c) of Ghana's 1992 Constitution, an MP shall vacate his seat if he is absent, without the Speaker's permission in writing, from fifteen sittings of a meeting of Parliament.

The debate leaves Parliament caught between the need for functional infrastructure and the constitutional obligation of its members to attend sessions, regardless of the temperature in their offices.