Dr. Rasheed Draman, the Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs, has expressed grave concerns over the persistent issue of absenteeism in Ghana’s Parliament.
He underscored that the problem has plagued the current Parliament as well as its seven predecessors, indicating a systemic failure to enforce attendance and accountability.
Dr. Draman highlighted that Members of Parliament (MPs) are engaging in activities that deviate from their primary legislative duties.
He particularly condemned Members of Parliament who have been following presidential candidates and other political figures instead of focusing on their parliamentary responsibilities.
“They are doing work that is not supposed to be their work. Because Parliament is not on recess and so during the recess, they could follow the Vice President or for that matter any presidential candidate of their choice. But even then, it raises issues because, when they are on recess, that is when they are supposed to be with their constituents”.
The Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Rasheed Draman
He criticized Parliament’s inability to curb absenteeism, describing it as a weakness that has persisted across multiple parliamentary terms.
He argued that Parliament as an institution of governance has been very weak when it comes to dealing with the matter of absenteeism of its members.
Dr. Draman identified two primary reasons for this failure, which included the impracticality of the sanctions stipulated in the constitution and standing orders, and the reluctance of parliamentary leadership to enforce these sanctions.
Alternative Sanctions over Absenteeism
The Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs further asserted that if Parliament is incapable of sanctioning Members of Parliament for absenteeism, alternative measures should be considered.
He proposed looking at models from some European countries where Members of Parliament face financial penalties for absenteeism.
Dr Draman, in a fervent call to action strongly advocated for a similar approach to be adopted in Ghana to ensure that Members of Parliament fulfil their duties.
The lack of an effective sanction regime, according to Dr Draman, has led to a culture of impunity where Members of Parliament can neglect their responsibilities without fear of consequences.
“People can just walk away from Parliament and show up anytime because they know nothing is going to happen to them”
The Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Rasheed Draman
Dr. Draman’s remarks come at a critical time as the issue of absenteeism continues to undermine the efficacy of Ghana’s legislative body.
His call for reform seeks to instigate a necessary discourse on how to hold MPs accountable and ensure they are dedicated to their legislative and constituency obligations.
In an earlier remark, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, publicly criticized the Majority Caucus in Parliament for their frequent absenteeism, accusing them of neglecting their legislative responsibilities in favour of political campaigning.
During a session on the floor of Parliament, MP Murtala Mohammed expressed his frustration with the Majority members’ lack of attendance.
He accused them of abandoning their parliamentary duties to participate in campaign activities with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia since the House resumed recess.
In a passionate address, the Tamale Central MP urged the leadership of the Majority to address what he described as a serious issue of commitment.
His pointed remarks were particularly directed at the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, whom he blamed for not ensuring that his colleagues were present to conduct parliamentary business.
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