8th Parliament must address issue of absenteeism before dying out – Dr. Draman

The Executive Director of the African Center for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Rasheed Draman, has admonished the 8th Parliament to institute changes that will take effect in the 9th Parliament to address the issue of absenteeism.

He says the conduct of the Members of Parliament, including their attendance to floor of the House, is part of the reasons many Ghanaians did not side with them on their attempt to use sirens and have no speed limitations.

According to Dr. Draman, if the MPs perform their responsibilities and ensure the hard economic situation in the country is addressed, the citizenry will rally behind them with such requests.

His comments come on the back of the low turnout in Parliament Tuesday, July 16, 2024, making the Speaker suspend sitting due to lack of attaining quorum.

This was the second time this week the numbers in the House was disappointing, following same on Monday, July 15.

Speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3 Tuesday, July 16, 2024, the ACEPA boss noted that Parliament needs to be on the lookout to ensure the challenges facing the people are resolved, whilst they also prioritize the need to change the absenteeism attitude that has characterised this parliament.

“At this time then we hear that there is an L.I. that is supposed to give them free access on the road and you can imagine the anger of the citizenry because in the first place if you don’t show up for work, then what are you asking for these free speed, free siren on the road?

“If they were showed up for work and if indeed the challenges of corruption and all the economic problems we face were issues that have been properly addressed, if MPs say we want this conditions of service, I think they can get the citizenry around that and people would supported that.

“But the with the visuals that you bring to our homes, it raises a lot of questions and this is really an issue that in the dying days of this 8th Parliament, if they can’t bring about any change to take effect immediately, I think they should think seriously about a change that will take effect in the 9th Parliament,” he told Alfred Ocansey, host of the show.

Source:onuaonline.com