A new attendance report from Ghana’s Parliament has unveiled the lawmakers who skipped the most sittings during the first session of 2025. Covering the period between January and March, the document highlights absentee trends across 43 parliamentary meetings.
At the top of the list is Felix Akwetey Nii Okle, the Member of Parliament for Bortianor-Ngleshi Amanfro, who was absent 23 times during the three-month session — the highest among his peers.
He is closely followed by Joseph Frempong, MP for Nkawkaw, who missed 22 sittings, and Ernest Yaw Anim of Kumawu, who failed to attend 21 sessions.
The attendance list, published by Citi Newsroom on October 30, 2025, also includes several other notable names. Col Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd), representing Jaman South, missed 19 sittings, while Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam and the current Minister for Finance, was absent 17 times.
Similarly, Blay Nyameke Armah of Sekondi failed to appear for 16 sessions. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu and Minister for Foreign Affairs, recorded 15 absences, with Dr Nana Ayew Afriye (Effiduase-Asokore), Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah (Takoradi), and Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng (Obuasi West) each missing 14 sittings.
Others who appeared on the list include Sam Nartey George (Ningo-Prampram), Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo (Wa Central) — who also serves as Minister for Employment — and Francis-Xavier Sosu (Madina), each of whom missed 13 sittings during the session.
Following the release of the report, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has ordered stricter attendance monitoring by parliamentary clerks. He cautioned that repeated absenteeism could result in disciplinary action, including the possible loss of a parliamentary seat, in line with existing legislative rules.
