Absenteeism And Lateness Still Characterizes Conduct Of Parliament

Many parliamentarians continue to attend to the business of the house with a lackadaisical attitude despite repeated pleas by the Speaker. Since the house resumed sitting about two weeks ago, both the majority and minority whips have been forced to work overtime to get the MPs in the chamber.

Last week for example, the adoption of two motions was adjourned twice because the minimum number of 100 MP could not come together to vote. At the start of business yesterday, there were only 35 members in the chamber.

At a recent retreat with the Parliamentary press corps, the speaker, Peter Ala Adjetey could not hide his frustration with the absenteeism and lateness in the house saying that it will retard work in the house.

If the trend continues, the MPs would be forced to sit long hours with double sittings to complete the work for the rest of the year.