Joseph Frempong, Ato Forson, Ablakwa among most frequently absent MPs

A new parliamentary attendance audit has uncovered widespread absenteeism among Ghana’s legislators, with some Members of Parliament (MPs) missing more than half of the sittings held between January and March 2025 without official permission.

The report, which covered 43 parliamentary sessions in the first quarter of the year, found that several MPs were absent repeatedly, raising concerns about declining participation in legislative duties and weak accountability.

The worst record was attributed to Joseph Frempong, MP for Nkawkaw, who missed 22 sittings without authorised leave. He was followed by Dr Cassiel Ato Forson of Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam—who also serves in Cabinet as Finance Minister and Acting Defence Minister—with 17 absences, and Blay Nyameke Armah of Sekondi, who recorded 16 missed sessions.

Other prominent MPs listed include Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (North Tongu), Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie (Effiduase/Asokore), Dr John Jinapor (Yapei Kusawgu), and Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng (Obuasi West), all of whom recorded between 11 and 14 days of unauthorised absence.

Under Article 97(1)(c) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, an MP risks losing their seat if they are absent from 15 sittings without the Speaker’s permission. This means that at least three MPs—Frempong, Forson, and Armah—may have breached constitutional limits, potentially inviting disciplinary or legal review by Parliament.

No.	Name of MP	Constituency	Number of Unauthorised Absences
1	Joseph Frempong	Nkawkaw	22 days
2	Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson	Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam	17 days
3	Blay Nyameke Armah	Sekondi	16 days
4	Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa	North Tongu	14 days
5	Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie	Effiduase/Asokore	14 days
6	Kwabena Boateng	Ejisu	13 days
7	Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo	Wa Central	13 days
8	Ernest Yaw Anim	Kumawu	11 days
9	Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor	Yapei Kusawgu	11 days
10	Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng	Obuasi West	11 days
11	Kwabena Mintah Akandoh	Juaboso	10 days
12	Simon Ampaabeng Kyeremeh	Berekum East	10 days
13	Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah	Takoradi	10 days
14	Ahmed Ibrahim	Banda	10 days
15	Abdul-Salam Adams	New Edubiase	10 days
16	Alexander Akwasi Acquah	Akim Oda	8 days
17	Vincent Oppong Asamoah	Dormaa West	8 days
18	Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine	Bolgatanga East	8 days
19	Godfred Henry Bentil	Mpohor	8 days
20	Dr. Gideon Boako	Tano North	8 days
21	Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah	Ellembele	8 days
22	Abla Dzifa Gomashie (Ms)	Ketu South	8 days
23	Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw	Wa East	8 days
24	Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka (Alhaji)	Asawase	8 days
25	Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane	Nabdam	8 days
26	Felix Akwetey Nii Okle	Bortianor-Ngleshe Amanfro	8 days
27	Gloria Owusu (Ms)	Trobu	8 days
28	Queenstar Maame Pokuah Sawyerr (Mrs)	Agona East	8 days