Only 15 of the 275 Members of Parliament were present on the floor when sitting commenced Thursday.
As a result, the speaker, Prof. Mike Ocquaye, urged MPs to take the sitting of the house seriously and prioritise it over anything else.
“In a way, we have an appointment with the good people of Ghana, particularly the young ones, who come to listen to their Parliament,” he said watching a near-empty parliament contrasting a well-seated gallery.
“I will pray that we take this obligation seriously. If we take our nation seriously we will take this obligation seriously,” Speaker said.
Truancy is not uncommon in Ghana’s Parliament.
Odekro, a Parliament-focused civil society organization, found in its research on the “First session of the seventh Parliament, 2017”, absenteeism is a problem in the chamber.
The 50-page report reveals that Ministers of State who double as Members of Parliament absented themselves more frequently than MPs without a Ministerial position.
As “punitive measures”, Odekro suggests that “MPs found to have no reasonable excuse to be absent without written permission from 15 sittings and beyond should be asked to vacate their seats in line with Article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”
But it does not seem any cue was taken from this report as Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu was absent to respond to questions when sitting commenced today.
Majority Chief Whip Ameyaw Kyeremeh told the house he was unable to reach the minister for explanation on why he could not show up.
On his part, Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu urged ministers to take the house seriously.
Latest Stories
-
Herman Suede is set to release ‘How Dare You’ on April 24
3 hours -
Heal KATH: Kuapa Kokoo, Association of Garages donate 120k to support project
3 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
4 hours -
Gender Advocate Emelia Naa Ayeley Aryee Wins prestigious Merck Foundation Awards
5 hours -
South Africa bursary scandal suspects granted bail
6 hours -
Ecobank successfully repays $500m Eurobond due April 18
6 hours -
Re: Doe Adjaho, Torgbui Samlafo IV, call for Unity among Paramountcies in Anlo
6 hours -
Extortion and kidnap – a deadly journey across Mexico into the US
6 hours -
Rihanna says fashion has helped her personal ‘rediscovery’ after having children
6 hours -
Development Bank Ghana targets GH¢1bn funding for commercial banks in 2024
6 hours -
Shatta Movement apologises to Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled after backlash
7 hours -
Sammy Gyamfi writes: Tema-Mpakadan Railway Project; A railway line to nowhere
7 hours -
Bright Simons: Is the World Bank saving or harming Ghana?
8 hours -
CAF Cup: RS Berkane banned from entering Algeria because of a map of Morocco with its Sahara
8 hours