The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, is pushing for something many workers take for granted — vacation days. In a heartfelt address to Parliament on Tuesday, October 21, Bagbin called for formal annual leave for Members of Parliament (MPs), warning that the relentless pace of political life is taking a devastating toll on lawmakers’ personal lives and mental health.
“MPs don’t go on holidays or vacation,” Bagbin said from the floor of Parliament. “They recede to continue to do the work of MP.” In other words: recess isn’t rest — it’s just work in a different location.
The veteran politician didn’t hold back when describing the emotional cost of public service. “Those of us who have sacrificed all these years, we know how our families have been destroyed,” he said. “You never have time for your family, you never have time for people dear to your heart — the people that you grew up with — and sometimes they don’t spare you.”
Bagbin’s remarks struck a personal tone as he urged fellow lawmakers to start a national conversation about giving MPs the right to step back, even briefly, from their demanding roles. He called on Parliament and stakeholders beyond the chamber to consider a structured leave policy, grounded in labor rights and personal well-being.
“Please, let’s think over it,” he said. “Get a few days to have some breathing space — if not to rest, but to share love with your immediate family members.”
The proposal may seem like a small ask, but it touches on a larger global issue: the burnout epidemic in high-pressure public service roles. And while critics may argue politicians already enjoy enough privileges, Bagbin’s message is clear — lawmakers are people too, and even they need a break.
