A shocking absence of 38 National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament from a crucial parliamentary session has raised eyebrows and sparked criticism from Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The MPs, who make up the majority, were nowhere to be found when the Minister of Finance presented a paper, prompting Afenyo-Markin to accuse them of deserting their duties to seek positions at Jubilee House.
“This morning, they populated the chamber. All of a sudden, they are all out—empty seats. And this is the time that the Finance Minister is here to lay a paper. Look at the empty seats,” Afenyo-Markin remarked, expressing his disappointment over the recurring trend of NDC MPs only showing up on ceremonial occasions.
“They’ve left again, going to look for jobs at the Jubilee House. They should come to the chamber of Parliament and work.”
Afenyo-Markin described the deserted MPs as ceremonial majority who are desperate in looking for ministerial appointments with only four slots left from the announced 60 positions.
President Mahama is said to have been inundated with the request for inclusion in his ministerial list.
The president had promised to release the list over two weeks ago, but as of yesterday, he is yet to do so, deeping the lobbying.
The NDC MPs as gathered are seriously lobbying to get the appointment of the four Deputy Ministerial portfolios left to be appointed by President Mahama, as he is done with 56, left with the four making 60 as he promised when campaigning for the Presidency.
The Effutu MP, Afenyo-Markin’s criticism highlights concerns about the commitment of NDC MPs to their parliamentary duties and the impact on the country’s governance.
The absence of these MPs has also sparked debate about the appointment of Ministers from Parliament.
The current administration is already bloated with Directors, Special Advisors, Special Assistants, Presidential Staffers among others who lack direct accountability.
The situation raises questions about the administration’s priorities and the accountability of its officials.
As President Mahama’s administration continues to face scrutiny, the absence of NDC MPs from Parliament has become a contentious issue.
With 38 MPs vying for just four ministerial slots, it remains to be seen how this will play out and what implications it will have for the country’s governance.
It’s worth noting that, according to Article 101 of the Constitution, if a Member of Parliament is absent from all meetings of the House for a period of 60 days without permission, the House may declare its seat vacant.
However, the absentee MPs smartly dashed into the chamber and registered their presence, after which they disappeared into the thin air, making it difficult for the house to form a quorum.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has been helpless on the issue of the absentee MPs.
