Kumawu MP Challenges Parliamentary Attendance Report, Cites Clerical Errors and Official Duties
Name conflation in the Hansard
The late Ernest Yaw Kumi (former Akwatia MP) shared an almost identical name. Several questions tabled by Mr Anim were erroneously recorded under “Ernest Yaw Kumi,” and the deceased MP’s absences during his court battles were subsequently misattributed.
Authorised bereavement leave
Mr Anim lost his father in February 2025. He was granted four days of compassionate leave, yet the report appears to have counted the entire funeral period as unauthorised absence.
Overseas parliamentary engagements
As Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, Mr Anim undertook three official missions abroad during the period. These absences were pre-approved by the Speaker’s Office but were not flagged as “official duty” in the raw attendance register.
“Any objective review of the Hansard and the Speaker’s travel authorisations will exonerate me,” Mr Anim stated. “I have never deliberately shirked my legislative responsibilities.”He has written to the Clerk to Parliament requesting an immediate audit and correction of the record and has urged the Hansard Department to implement biometric cross-verification for future sittings. Speaker’s Directive
On 30 October, Rt Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin directed the Table Office to migrate to an electronic attendance system by 1 January 2026. Under Article 97(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 17 of the Standing Orders, persistent absenteeism without leave may lead to vacating of seat.Twenty-eight MPs, including Mr Anim, have been placed on a watch-list; three others face possible expulsion proceedings.Parliament is expected to publish a corrected attendance matrix before the House resumes on 18 November 2025.
