THE UNSPOKEN DUTY: WHEN OUR PARLIANMENTARIANS ARE ABSENT

 

THE UNSPOKEN DUTY: WHEN OUR PARLIANMENTARIANS ARE ABSENT 

By Honeybrowne Okaakyire

In the heart of Ghana’s democracy, the plenary chamber of Parliament of Ghana stands as a symbol of representation and responsibility. It is a place where policies are debated, citizens’ voices are echoed, and the future of our nation is shaped. Yet, a recent attendance audit has cast a shadow over this sacred duty: 28 Members of Parliament (MPs) were found to have repeatedly missed sittings in the first quarter of 2025 without permission. 

This revelation prompts us not only to ask who missed the sittings, but why, so what, and what now. As a teacher, blogger and citizen, I feel compelled to explore the deeper implications of parliamentary absenteeism and what this means for our democracy, our development and our trust in governance.

What the Numbers Tell Us

According to published data, the first quarter of 2025 included 43 sittings of Parliament (between January and March). Of the full membership, 28 MPs failed to attend multiple sessions without formally obtaining the Speaker’s permission. 

Some individual cases are particularly striking:

Joseph Frempong (Nkawkaw) missed 22 sittings. 

Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson (Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam) missed 17 sittings. 

Blay Nyameke Armah (Sekondi) missed 16 sittings. 

In contrast, it was also reported that 34 MPs had perfect attendance (attending all 43 sittings). 

From the surface, this looks like a mix of strong commitment by some, and concerning disengagement by others.

Why Absenteeism Matters

When a Member of Parliament is repeatedly absent without permission, there are multiple layers of impact. Let me unpack some of the key consequences.

1. Representation and Accountability

Each MP is elected to represent the interests of a constituency—whether it’s Nkawkaw, Sekondi, or Agona East. When the MP is absent from sittings, they are absent from debates, votes, committee work, and the oversight function of Parliament. Their constituents lose out on representation in the heart of our democracy.

2. The Legislative Function

Parliament isn’t simply a symbolic institution. It is where laws are made, budgets are approved, and accountability mechanisms are exercised. Frequent absenteeism by MPs reduces the collective capacity of Parliament to fulfil these roles effectively. The fewer voices engaging in debate, the weaker the oversight.

3. Public Trust and Perception

As a teacher, I often remind my students that leadership is about service. When leaders appear disengaged or absent, trust erodes. The electorate asks: “If our MP is missing sessions, are they truly prioritising our interests?” The ripple effect is a growing cynicism about democratic institutions.

4. Constitutional and Procedural Implications

Our 1992 Constitution provides a safeguard: Article 97(1)(c) states that an MP may vacate their seat if they are absent from 15 consecutive sittings without the Speaker’s permission and cannot offer a reasonable explanation. By missing many sittings, MPs may stumble into territory where their mandate is challenged.

Understanding the Possible Reasons

It’s important to avoid rushing to blame without exploring root causes. What might explain these unauthorised absences? Some of the recurring themes include:

Dual roles: Some MPs are also ministers or hold significant executive roles which may take them away from plenary sittings. The media pointed out that some high-absence MPs hold ministerial portfolios. 

Constituency demands: MPs often must travel to their regions for constituency engagements, development projects, meetings with local stakeholders. While important, this can conflict with parliamentary sittings if not managed well.

Health or personal issues: Although valid, these should ideally be communicated and recorded to avoid being counted as unauthorised absence.

Weak monitoring/enforcement: The Speaker has instructed stricter attendance monitoring. This suggests the system may have had lax enforcement previously.

No doubt these are valid pressures, but they do not fully remove responsibility. The role of an MP is to ensure they are present and active in parliamentary duties, or to formally secure leave rather than absenting without permission.

Why This Should Matter to Every Ghanaian

As a teacher, I often tell my students that democracy works when we engage and hold our leaders to account. The issue of MP absenteeism should resonate with all of us for several reasons:

1. Our Taxes Fund This Work

MPs are remunerated, resources are provided for their work, and Parliament’s operations are financed by public revenue. When those elected do not show up, the value derived from public investment diminishes.

2. Impact on Legislation that Affects Us

Bills, budgets, enquiries: these affect education, health, infrastructure, agriculture. When MPs absentee, perspectives may be missing, weakening the end result and ultimately affecting citizens in the classroom, clinic, and farm.

3. Symbolic Leadership

Young people, especially students look to national leaders for role models. When visible absenteeism becomes normalised, we inadvertently communicate that public service is optional rather than obligatory.

4. Electoral Choice and Civic Duty

If we as citizens are serious about improving governance, attendance data provides a metric for evaluating our MPs. Election time isn’t just about party or personality, it’s about performance and accountability.

But: There Are Also Positive Signals

It’s important to recognise that the disclosure of this list is itself a good thing. Transparency matters. That some MPs attended all sittings is also encouraging, they set a standard of commitment. 

The Speaker’s warning about sanctions for persistent absenteeism indicates intent to enforce accountability. 

These signs suggest we are moving toward better parliamentary discipline and as a blogger, I choose to emphasise the positive as well as the critical.

What Needs to Be Done: A Call for Action

Given the situation, here are some actions I believe we should champion and perhaps you, the reader, can join in holding leaders accountable.

For Parliament and Its Leadership

Ensure Clear and Public Attendance Records: Regular publication of attendance data per MP (perhaps quarterly) would raise awareness and accountability.

Enforce Consequences: If MPs breach the 15-sitting unauthorised absence rule, the relevant processes must be followed (Privileges Committee, vacating seat, etc).

Support MPs who Serve Dual Roles: If MPs also hold ministerial posts or significant executive responsibilities, there should be clear guidelines on attendance, leave and substitution to ensure their constituencies aren’t deprived of representation.

Encourage Digital/Hybrid Participation: In an era of technology, where physically attending every session might occasionally be logistically difficult (e.g., constituency commitments), a hybrid model could help ensure participation rather than absence.

For Constituents and Civil Society

Demand Transparency: Ask your MP publicly about their attendance and activity in Parliament.

Record and Report: Use data to track as part of citizen monitoring. Blogs, social media, local associations can highlight attendance.

Vote with Information: When election time comes, consider attendance records as part of your assessment of who deserves to represent you.

Engage MPs Locally: Attend town-hall meetings, ask how they balance between constituency demands and parliamentary duties, and what they do to fulfil both.

For MPs Themselves

Prioritise Attendance: Recognise that sitting in Parliament isn’t optional, it’s fundamental.

Communicate Clearly: If you must be absent for a valid reason, secure permission, and ensure your constituents understand why.

Balance Duties: Make sure constituency engagement, ministerial duties (if any) and parliamentary attendance don’t conflict; plan effectively.

Show Accountability: Publish quarterly reports to constituents on your parliamentary and constituency work. This builds trust.

A Teacher’s Perspective: Leadership, Duty and Example

In the classroom, I remind my students: “If you sign up for a job, show up for the job.” As a blogger and citizen, I apply the same principle to our public officials. Our MPs are entrusted with a role of service, not only to legislate, but to represent, scrutinise and uphold the public interest.

When some MPs repeatedly miss sittings without permission, the message received is: “My presence is not essential.” But for a democracy to function, each voice around the table matters not just for representation, but for deliberation. Each seat in that chamber is linked to real communities: children in schools, farmers in fields, patients in clinics.

If our educational system taught children that their voice matters, then our Parliament must demonstrate the same by ensuring that every voice elected is present and heard.

Looking Ahead: What Should We Expect?

Will this disclosure lead to real change? I believe it can but only if we collectively push for it.

Monitoring the Next Report: Constituents should look out for the attendance report for the next quarter. Are absence figures improving? Are more MPs attending regularly?

Sanctions and Vacancies: If the rules of Article 97(1)(c) are triggered, will the processes to vacate seats or discipline MPs be activated? If yes, then accountability becomes tangible.

Electoral Implications: Will voters begin to penalise absentee MPs at election time? If so, behaviour could change swiftly.

Culture Shift: Over time, we must aim for a culture in Parliament where absenteeism becomes an anomaly rather than a recurring pattern.

In a nutshell, the news that 28 MPs missed multiple sittings without permission in a single quarter raises serious questions—and offers an opportunity. It forces us as citizens to ask: What do we expect from our representatives? And more importantly: How can we ensure they deliver?

The disclosure shows that transparency is possible and that oversight matters. But the real test will be the follow-through: the constituents asking, the MPs explaining, the Parliament enforcing, and the system embedding a culture of presence, participation and responsibility.

In my view as a blogger writing under the name Honeybrowne Okaakyire, I challenge us all; teachers, students, farmers, business people, voters to stay engaged. Democracy doesn’t end at the ballot box. It thrives when we hold institutions accountable, when we demand consistency between words and actions, and when we insist that those we elect show up for the job they were elected to do.

Let us watch the next chapters of this story closely because the health of our democracy depends on every seat being filled, every voice being heard, and every MP doing the job they were elected to carry out.

Thank you for reading. I welcome your thoughts: what do you think about the absenteeism of MPs in Ghana? How would you as a constituent feel? Please share your comments below.