As part of efforts to restore accountability in the legislature, Parliament has released a list of 28 Members of Parliament who repeatedly absented themselves from sittings without permission during the first quarter of 2025.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has expressed deep disappointment at the continued absenteeism of some Members of Parliament (MPs), warning that disciplinary action will be taken against those who fail to attend sittings.
Addressing the House on Wednesday, October 29th 2025, Mr. Bagbin said he had received attendance reports for the first and second meetings but decided not to publish them in hopes of improving attendance.
The attendance audit, which covered 43 sittings between January and March 2025, revealed that several legislators recorded significant unauthorised absences, with some missing more than 20 sessions. The findings form part of Parliament’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability in legislative attendance and performance.
Speaker Alban Bagbin has warned that several Members of Parliament face losing their seats if they continue to miss sittings without permission.
Under Ghana’s law, the clock appears to be ticking for at least three governing (NDC) MPs and two opposition (NPP) MPs whose absence records are among the worst in the current session.
What the law says According to Article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana: “A Member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament … if he is absent, without the permission in writing of the Speaker, and is unable to offer a reasonable explanation to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges, for fifteen sittings of a meeting of Parliament during any period that Parliament has been summoned to meet and continues to meet.”
In addition, the Parliament of Ghana’s Standing Orders require members to notify the Speaker in writing if they are unable to attend sittings.
The Speaker has explicitly reminded MPs that he will refer defaulters to the Privileges Committee and that the era of tolerance for absenteeism is over.
Based on the latest attendance figures, these five MPs have recorded the highest number of days absent without permission and now find themselves in the spotlight: Joseph Frempong- (Nkawkaw) – 22 days-NPP, Cassiel Ato Baah Forson -(Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam) – 17 days-NDC, Blay Nyameke Armah -(Sekondi) – 16 days-NDC, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa -(North Tongu) – 14 days-NDC, Nana Ayew Afriyie-(Effiduase/Asokore) – 14 days-NPP.
Of these five, two are cabinet Ministers in the current National Democratic Congress (Cassiel Ato Forson (Dr)-Minister for Finance and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa-Minister for Foreign Affairs) and two from the opposition New Patriotic Party (Joseph Frempong, Nana Ayew Afriyie).
Should any MP miss fifteen sittings without written leave and explanation, the seat may be declared vacated under Article 97(1)(c).
The Speaker has flagged that he will move to enforce the rule. If this happens, the affected constituencies will likely face a by-election.
The enforcement of the absenteeism rule has major implications. For the NDC, losing seats would undermine the majority’s numbers. For the NPP, losing seats weakens the minority’s parliamentary oversight.
Speaker Bagbin’s warning signals a potentially significant shift in parliamentary discipline and may set a precedent for stricter accountability. With the constitutional and Standing Orders provisions clear, the fate of these five MPs now hangs on whether they or their offices can explain or justify their absences, or risk losing their seats altogether.
