By: Aminata Sesay
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has warned Members of Parliament (MPs) over persistent lateness and poor attendance at parliamentary sittings, threatening to publicly name those who repeatedly absent themselves from their legislative duties while continuing to receive salaries.
Speaking during a parliamentary sitting on Thursday, 29 October 2026, the Speaker expressed disappointment over the low attendance, disclosing that he had to wait approximately ten minutes for a quorum to be established before proceedings could continue.
He warned that he would write to the political parties of MPs who consistently failed to attend sittings and publicly identify members who arrived late or were frequently absent.
“Being a Member of Parliament is a full-time job,” he said, urging members who could not fulfil their responsibilities to resign and allow others to take their place.
The Speaker reminded MPs that they had been elected by their constituents to represent their interests and were therefore expected to demonstrate commitment, punctuality and accountability in the discharge of their legislative responsibilities.
He also urged members to comply with their asset declaration obligations, disclosing that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had written to him on the matter and that the correspondence had been forwarded to the parliamentary groups.
He called on all MPs to declare their assets promptly, warning that failure to comply could expose them to possible sanctions under the relevant legal provisions.
In a separate appeal, the Speaker reminded MPs of their responsibilities as national leaders, urging them to exercise independent judgment and resist undue influence from colleagues, particularly where personal or political interests were concerned.
Describing leadership as a spiritual responsibility, he encouraged members to remain accountable to the people they represent and to uphold the standards expected of public office holders.
The Speaker also acknowledged several MPs whom he said had demonstrated diligence, punctuality and consistent attendance at parliamentary sittings, commending them for their commitment to their legislative duties.