Absenting yourself without a reason could cost you your seat – Privileges Committee warns absentee MPs
The three absentee legislators who are supposed to appear before the privileges committee have been warned by the committee that failure to honour the invitation could cost them their seats.
For some time now, the committee has been trying to hold its hearing after it was forced to abort its first-day engagement with Ayawaso Central MP and Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey.
Legislator for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, who was scheduled to appear before the committee told the media she was unaware of any invitation by the committee.
Also, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong who sought permission for the medical review in the United States has asked for an extension even though per the timetable he was to appear before the committee today, Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
A Ranking Member for the Committee on Privileges, Kweku Rickett Hagan has revealed that circumstances have compelled the committee to ask for one extra week from the Speaker as the two weeks deadline expires this week.
“The Constitution is clear that if you absent yourself without approval you lose your seat, it is very clear. So any honourable member who has nothing to say will have to resign and vacate the seat, that’s all.
“But they have the opportunity under the same Constitution to defend themselves before the Committee which means that they believe that they have a legitimate reason why they are not here. If you don’t show up and you don’t give any good reason why you didn’t show up that itself is contempt and you have decided to resign,” he explained.
The Cape Coast South legislator stated that the claim by Adwoa Safo about being unaware of her invitation is an embarrassment to the committee.
He, however, assured the public that steps are being taken to reach the Dome Kwabenya MP who is outside the jurisdiction including the option of having the hearing via video conferencing.
