Poor MP Attendance Raises Concern in Parliament — What It Means for Ghana
On March 7, 2025, the Parliament of Ghana faced a procedural setback when the opposition caucus criticised the continuous absence of several Majority Members of Parliament (MPs). The Minority described the situation as both “embarrassing” and “unacceptable,” after a session of the House was temporarily stalled due to lack of quorum—fewer than the constitutionally required one-third of MPs were present.
An official headcount later confirmed 103 MPs in attendance, allowing parliamentary proceedings to continue. However, Minority MPs insisted that the recurring absenteeism reflects a deeper issue of indiscipline and neglect by the Majority caucus.
Opposition MPs voiced strong disapproval over what they called poor commitment from the ruling side. The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, accused the Majority caucus of “dereliction of duty” and “taking the Ghanaian people for granted.” He compared the current situation with the previous 8th Parliament, where attendance was reportedly better despite a hung house.
Similarly, Tamale North MP, Alhassan Suhuyini, described the situation as “a huge indictment” on parliamentary leadership, particularly the Majority Chief Whip. He called on both sides to demonstrate greater discipline and commitment to their legislative duties, emphasising that parliamentary business is a collective responsibility.
Parliamentary attendance may seem like a procedural matter, but it carries serious implications for Ghana’s democracy and governance. Under the 1992 Constitution, MPs are required to attend sittings unless formally excused. A member risks losing their seat if absent for 15 sittings without the Speaker’s permission.
Low attendance affects the ability of Parliament to function efficiently and undermines citizens’ trust in elected representatives. When sittings are suspended due to lack of quorum, national decision-making slows, delaying the passage of key bills and budgetary approvals.
In a broader African context, similar challenges persist across legislatures. Ghana—often praised as a model of democratic practice—risks diminishing its reputation if parliamentary absenteeism becomes routine. Strong parliamentary participation is vital to upholding transparency, accountability, and democratic governance in the region.
The 9th Parliament of Ghana was inaugurated on January 7, 2025, following the December 2024 general elections. The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) currently holds 183 seats, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) controls 88 seats and four seats are held by independent MPs.
Attendance issues, however, are not new to Ghana’s legislature. Past civil society reports, including those from parliamentary monitoring groups such as Odekro and ACEPA, have consistently shown that absenteeism has been a recurring problem. In some years, MPs were absent for up to one-quarter of all sittings, leading to postponed debates and delays in passing important legislation.
In November 2015, for instance, parliamentary business was disrupted when fewer than 90 MPs were present during a key budget debate—well below the minimum quorum. Such incidents highlight how absenteeism directly impacts national decision-making and weakens the legislature’s ability to hold the executive accountable.
The current tension mirrors that historical pattern, with Minority MPs warning that the House risks losing credibility if leaders fail to enforce attendance rules. They argue that continued laxity could slow down the legislative process, weaken oversight of government policy, and reduce public confidence in Parliament.
Parliamentary absenteeism also raises questions about representation at the constituency level. Ghanaians expect their MPs not only to engage in local development projects but also to actively participate in national debates that affect their communities. When MPs are frequently absent, constituents lose their voice in policymaking.
Civil society organisations have urged that attendance records be made publicly accessible so that voters can hold MPs accountable at the next election. This would help reinforce the principle that serving in Parliament is a full-time public duty, not a secondary political role.
To address the problem, governance analysts and advocacy groups have proposed several practical measures:
- Stricter enforcement of attendance rules by the Speaker’s office and Chief Whips, including public reporting of absentees.
- Real-time publication of attendance logs on the parliamentary website to enhance transparency.
- Restructuring of sittings and committee work to reduce scheduling conflicts with constituency duties.
- Leadership accountability, ensuring both Majority and Minority caucuses treat attendance as a central part of their legislative mandate.
Such reforms could strengthen institutional discipline and rebuild public trust in the legislature.
Although the presence of 103 MPs allowed Parliament to resume business on the day in question, the issue reflects a broader concern about political accountability and legislative effectiveness. Persistent absenteeism weakens Parliament’s credibility and erodes the democratic values Ghana has worked hard to sustain.
For the country to maintain its standing as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, consistent attendance and dedication to parliamentary work must be treated not as an option, but as an obligation to the Ghanaian people.
