Alban Bagbin rolls out biometric attendance system for 258 enrolled MPs

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced the full implementation of a biometric attendance system to track the participation of Members of Parliament (MPs) during sessions. This move marks the end of the traditional manual attendance registers, which have been used for decades to record lawmaker presence. The initiative is part of a broader modernization strategy aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency within the legislative body.

Under the new system, MPs are required to register their attendance using biometric consoles installed in the chamber. So far, 258 MPs have already been enrolled in the system. Speaker Bagbin emphasized that the technology is intended to ensure that attendance records are accurate and that lawmakers remain disciplined in their duties. To further enhance order, each MP will now be assigned a designated seat. A critical rule introduced alongside the system dictates that contributions made by MPs who are not in their assigned positions will not be officially recognized in the records of the House.

This technological shift is one component of an ongoing effort to digitize parliamentary operations. In addition to biometric tracking, the Speaker revealed that plans are underway to introduce an electronic voting system. This upgrade is expected to reduce the potential for errors that often occur during manual voting and tallying processes. Bagbin noted that the Parliament of Ghana must evolve alongside global technological trends to meet the high expectations of the public regarding the conduct of state business.

The implementation comes as the Ninth Parliament begins its Third Meeting, a session set to be dominated by the presentation and scrutiny of the Government’s 2027 Budget. As the House prepares for intensive legislative work, the new biometric and seating protocols are expected to streamline proceedings and provide a more reliable record of participation. This modernization effort reflects the leadership's commitment to ensuring that the legislative arm of government operates with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.