Former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak, has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament asking for the referral of four MPs to the Privileges Committee for breaking the rules of the house on absenteeism.
Ras Mubarak in his petition said Sarah Adwoa Safo, MP for Dome-Kwabenya; Henry Quartey, MP for Ayawaso Central; Ebenezer Kojo Kum, MP for Ahanta West; and Ken Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, have all absented themselves from Parliament for more than fifteen sittings without the Speaker’s permission.
He said their conduct requires immediate action as it breaches Constitutional Provisions and Standing Orders of Parliament.
“It has come to my notice through parliament’s Hansard, and newspaper and radio report that four Members of Parliament have all absented themselves from Parliament for more than fifteen sittings of a meeting of Parliament without the permission of Mr. Speaker in writing.”
“In view of this reported breach of the constitutional provision, I respectfully petition your high office to direct for their conduct to be referred to the Privileges Committee for consideration and necessary action,” portions of the petition said.
This petition comes amid concerns over Adwoa Safo’s absence in Parliament.
Adwoa Safo’s last appearance in Parliament was in December 2021, when she dismissed the Minority Caucus’s claims that she had been impersonated to enable her party to secure the right numbers to vote on the controversial E-levy bill.
Ras Mubarak explained that the petition is necessary to regain the public’s confidence in Parliament.
He thus expressed the hope that Parliament will unite to support his petition.
“I humbly submit that democracy can only work if Parliament puts the common good ahead of the party and personal interest. At a time of seeming collapse of trust in politics and Parliament as an institution, it is my fervent prayer that the House would rise to the occasion and be united on this matter, to uphold our constitution and also win back waned public confidence.”
