Bagbin: Absentee MPs will be punished in line with standing orders
By
Emmanuella Sarfo-Ntow
October 30, 2025
Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has expressed strong disappointment over the persistent absenteeism of some Members of Parliament (MPs), warning that sanctions will be applied against lawmakers who fail to attend sittings without valid reasons.
Addressing the House on Wednesday, Mr. Bagbin revealed that he had received attendance reports for the first and second meetings of the current session but chose not to publish them, hoping that MPs’ attendance would improve voluntarily.
However, he admitted that the decision had proven counterproductive.
“It looks like that was a catastrophic mistake I made,” the Speaker said. “I should have brought it out and referred members to the Privileges Committee.”
Mr. Bagbin disclosed that he has now directed parliamentary clerks to record attendance for the ongoing meeting, adding that absentee MPs will face disciplinary measures in line with Parliament’s Standing Orders.
“I have given directives to the clerks at the table to take the records for this meeting. We will be taking action to compel members to sit or to be considered to have vacated their seats,” Mr. Bagbin stressed.
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