I had to undergo knee surgery – Henry Quartey explains absence from Parliament

Ayawaso Central MP, Henry Quartey, has attributed his absence from parliamentary duties to health issues.

The legislator, who has been absent for more than 15 sittings was hauled before the Privileges Committee, to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.

According to the Greater Accra Regional Minister, his absence from the country was to enable him to undergo a knee surgery.

Two other Members of Parliament, Kennedy Agyapong and Sarah Adwoa Safo were also referred to the Committee for similar reasons.

Mr. Agyapong has already appeared before the Committee.

However, Ms. Adwoa Safo was scheduled to appear before the Committee but failed to do so, despite various attempts to get her to appear before the Committee.

The issue of absenteeism came to light after a former Member of Parliament for Kumbungu, Ras Mubarak, petitioned the Speaker in March 2022.

Mr. Mubarak cited four MPs: Dome Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo; Ayawaso Central MP, Henry Quartey; MP for Ahanta West, Ebenezer Kojo Kum; and Assin Central MP, Ken Ohene Agyapong.

He said the MPs had flouted provisions of Article 97 (1) (c) of the Constitution and Parliament’s Standing Order 16 (1), which frowns on members absenting themselves for 15 sitting days without permission from the Speaker.

Per Article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution, a Member of Parliament shall vacate his seat “if he is absent, without the permission in writing of the Speaker, and he is unable to offer a reasonable explanation to the Parliamentary Committee on Privileges from fifteen sittings of a meeting of Parliament during any period that Parliament has been summoned to meet and continues to meet.”

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin subsequently referred the three MPs to the Privileges Committee.