The Dormaa East MP, Paul Apreku Twum-Barimah, has urged Speaker Alban Bagbin to approach the issue of absenteeism in Parliament with diligence.

His comment comes in reaction to a petition filed by former MP for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak, to the Office of the Speaker of Parliament to refer four legislators to the Privileges Committee for absenting themselves for more than 15 sittings in the House without permission.

They are Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo; Ayawaso Central MP, Henry Quartey; Ebenezer Kojo Kum, MP for Ahanta West; and Ken Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central.

But speaking to JoyNews’ Kwesi Parker-Wilson on Wednesday, Mr Twum-Barimah noted that the Speaker must not hasten to react to the petition filed.

According to him, the Speaker must first establish the rationale behind the alleged absence of the legislators in question.

“I don't think it is something that you can say you should refer. Because clearly, you may have to establish what (the issue is). You cannot just come and say that somebody has not been in Parliament for 15 sittings.

"It is Privileges Committee to determine that. So we don't need to take any decision now but allow the Privileges Committee or the Speaker, whether he wants to refer or not.

I'm sure the Speaker also wants to satisfy himself whether what has been put before him is worthy for him to refer. So I will urge the Speaker not to haste on taken such a decision and I do not think he will do that.”

“I think he should engage the so-called petitioner and the people he has mentioned to ascertain modalities first,” he further advised.

Mr Twum-Barimah argued that it is premature to state that his colleagues being accused of absenteeism have breached the Constitution and Standing Orders of the House as alleged by the petitioner, Mr Ras Mubarak.

“You cannot be quick to say they are breaching the law. We must establish the fundamental principle before we say that. So you cannot at this juncture say whatever my colleague who is from the outside trying to tell us what is happening inside is accurate.”

In his petition, Mr Ras Mubarak stated that “It has come to my notice through Parliament’s Hansard, and newspaper and radio reports that some four MPs, namely Sarah Adwoa Safo, MP for Dome-Kwabenya; Henry Quartey, MP for Ayawaso Central; Ebenezer Kojo Kum, MP for Ahanta West; and Ken Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central have all absented themselves from Parliament for more than fifteen sittings of a meeting of Parliament without the permission of Mr. Speaker in writing.

In view of this reported breach of the constitutional provision, I respectfully petition your high office to direct for their conduct to be referred to the Privileges Committee for consideration and necessary action.”

The Dormaa East MP also used the opportunity to refute claims that the MP for Ayawaso Central, Henry Quartey, has been absent in recent times.

“I don't have any suspicions. I have been seeing Kennedy Agyapong around. I have been seeing Henry Quartey around. Even yesterday, he was here.

"The time you might you have thought he was around, he was here. He might be absent with permission, you don't know. So it will be very unfair for you to send such a petition.”

He, therefore, encouraged that “we should allow the systems to work. The Speaker should look at the issue and make a decision on it.”