A new attendance record from Parliament has revealed the Members of Parliament (MPs) who recorded the highest number of absences during the House’s first session of 2025.
The report, which covers 43 sittings held between January and March 2025, lists Felix Akwetey Nii Okle, MP for Bortianor-Ngleshi Amanfro, as the most absent legislator, missing 23 sittings during the period.
He was followed by Joseph Frempong of Nkawkaw, who was absent on 22 occasions, and Ernest Yaw Anim of Kumawu, who missed 21 sittings.
Other MPs with high absentee rates include Col. Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd.) of Jaman South, who missed 19 sittings; Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and Minister for Finance, who was absent 17 times; and Blay Nyameke Armah of Sekondi, who missed 16 sittings.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu and Minister for Foreign Affairs, recorded 15 absences, while Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie (Effiduase-Asokore), Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah (Takoradi), and Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng (Obuasi West) each missed 14 sittings.
Several others, including Sam Nartey George (Ningo-Prampram), Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (Wa Central) — Minister for Employment — and Francis-Xavier Sosu (Madina), were each absent 13 times.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has since directed parliamentary clerks to strengthen attendance monitoring, warning that persistent absenteeism could trigger sanctions, including loss of seat, in accordance with parliamentary rules.
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