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The Member of Parliament for Nalerigu/Gambaga, Mumuni Nurideen Muhammed, has attributed the growing absenteeism among Members of Parliament to malfunctioning air-conditioners in the Job 600 office complex. His comments follow mounting public concern over lawmakers’ attendance after a parliamentary report revealed that several MPs had missed sittings without official permission. Raising the issue on the floor of Parliament on Friday, November 7, Mr Nurideen appealed to the Leader of Government Business to urgently address the situation, arguing that the lack of a conducive working environment was discouraging some MPs from attending sessions. “…For some time now, members of this House have put up complaints to the Majority Leader and the Leader of Government Business about the office air conditioners, and up till now, we have not seen any action from the Leader of Government Business. “Some of these air conditioners not working have contributed to the members not coming to Parliament because if you come to Parliament and you do not have anywhere to sit in the Chamber, it makes it difficult for some of these Members of Parliament. “I am pleading with the Leader of Government Business to, as a matter of urgency, look into it so that we will see how best the air conditioners can be fixed for members,” he stated. However, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, dismissed the justification, insisting that faulty air conditioners cannot serve as an excuse for absenteeism. “I agree with you that we need to urgently fix the air conditioners, but your challenges with the air conditioners cannot be grounds for not showing up. If you give that indication to the public, you are essentially telling civil servants that when the air conditioner in their offices is not working, they should also not go to work,” he retorted. The latest attendance report covering 43 sittings between January and March 2025 showed that several MPs had absented themselves for extended periods, with some missing more than 20 days without official permission. Among those listed were Joseph Frempong (Nkawkaw) – 22 days, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson (Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam) – 17 days, Blay Nyameke Armah (Sekondi) – 16 days, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu) – 14 days, and Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie (Effiduase/Asokore) – 14 days, among others.
