Pressure group, Economic Fighters Group, has submitted a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Ocquaye, demanding that he declares the seats of 54 notorious absentee Legislators vacant.
Basing their demands on the dictates of the Constitution (Article 97(1)(c)) the group stated said the erring Parliamentarians should first be dragged to the Privileges Committee for an explanation before taking the firm action, myjoyonline.com reports.!
“You have had on several occasions to adjourn sittings for want of quorum. Recently, the First Deputy Speaker lamented this attitude of absenteeism and said those who absent themselves should probably not be in the House. They should leave. He was right as this is the position of the constitution. Absenteeism not only deprives us, the poor people of proper representation in Parliament, it can only lead to poor scrutiny of bills, agreements and other Executive actions. It also cost us money,” the pressure group said in the petition.
Published below are the petition and the list of absentee MPs which Economic Fighters Group is recommending sanctions against.
Source: The Publisher
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Ithink you should call for is the amendment of the articles of the Constitution that gave to the Presidentto appoint more Members of Parliament as Ministers. The Constitution as it stands does not promote the Concept of Separation of Powers. It makes Parliament weak while the Executive strong. Proper separation of Powers would strengthen Parliament. You realise that all the MPs listed are Ministers of State and it is not their fault to absent themselves. They need to work as Ministers and sometimes travel outside and within Ghana as part of their duties. This has been the practice since 1993 when Constitutional Democracy was restored during the Fourth Republic. In the Third Republic (DrLimann's Administration) this did not happen.All the Arms of Government were really separated. Members of Parliament who were appointed Ministers lost their seats naturally and new memmbers were elected to take their places.So until we change we change that portion of the Constitution the practice will continue.
If law makers who are suppose to pass laws for us are not law abiding then what is the need for them to be in parliament. How can MP who is paid with our tax payers money be absent from parliament 85 times. What would happen to a city teacher who absents him or herself for even two weeks, probably Matthew opoku prempeh would sack him, yet he has been an absentee for as much as 78 times. So if such an individual goes and meet teachers does he have the moral right to sack he will dismiss them un the event they become absentees?