Speaker Alban Bagbin has proposed a significant change to the parliamentary system to enable Members of Parliament (MPs) to go on annual leave to rest and attend to family needs.
The Speaker’s proposal stemmed from concerns raised by the MPs to the effect that their heavy workload was having a toll on their health and family life.
He lamented that even during recess of Parliament, legislators have been working at committee meetings, visiting state agencies to exercise parliamentary oversight and inspecting ongoing projects across the regions.
Speaker Bagbin made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the Third Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament in Accra on Tuesday.
He suggested the need to incorporate annual leave into the new Standing Orders to give MPs time to rest and recharge.
MPs often work continuously, even during recess, attending committee meetings, exercising oversight, and inspecting projects, which could be detrimental to their health.
Mr Bagbin lamented that the demanding nature of the job could lead to family disintegration and strained relationships due to the MPs’ lack of availability.
He noted that allowing MPs to take breaks was a common practice in other countries, which could help prevent burnout and improve productivity.
This proposal aims to improve the well-being of MPs and potentially lead to more effective governance.
Meanwhile, Mr Bagbin officially referred the nomination of Supreme Court Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice of Ghana to Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting and report.
This follows the nomination of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie by President John Mahama, on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
The nomination was made in accordance with Article 144(1) of the 1992 Constitution, following the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
Source: GNA
Source: ghanabusinessnews.com
