The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, is pushing for a change in the parliamentary system to allow Members of Parliament (MPs) to go on annual leave.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of a new parliamentary session after MPs took a two-month break, Bagbin noted that the demanding nature of the job often leads to family disintegration and strained relationships due to the MPs’ lack of availability.
He lamented that even during Parliamentary recess, legislators continue to work at committee meetings, visiting state agencies to exercise parliamentary oversight and inspecting ongoing projects across the regions.
“MPs don’t go on holidays or vacation. They recede to continue to do the work of MPs.
“Those of us who have sacrificed all these years, we know how our families have been destroyed because you never have time for your family,” he said.
He suggested the need to incorporate annual leave into the new Standing Orders to give MPs time to rest and recharge.
“It is something we have to consider because the Labour Act expects that you should also have some leave. It is done all over the world,” he indicated.
In a parliamentary year, MPs take at least three breaks. In the 9th Parliament, for instance, MPs have gone on recess on two occasions: in March 2025, and August 2025.