Sarah Adwoa Safo
Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has publicly apologised to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Majority Leader, for her negative behaviour during her extended absence from parliamentary duties.
Last year, the NPP MP stirred controversy by taking a lengthy leave from legislative duties, denying the Majority Caucus the quorate number to win critical votes on the floor of Parliament.
Despite being dragged before the Privileges Committee for her continuous absence from House sittings for more than 15 days without the written approval of the Speaker, Adwoa Safo ignored appeals and persuasions of the President and Majority Caucus leadership.
The Privileges Committee, which sat on her case and two other NPP MPs, by a Majority decision, said Adwoa Safo failed to take advantage of the numerous opportunities and facilities offered her to provide reasonable explanation to the Committee with regard to her absence without leave.
She indicated her intention to participate in the party’s primaries for the 2024 elections upon her return to Ghana from the United States of America, where she was domiciled.
Regret
However, in a two-minute video address to the nation posted on her Facebook page, the Dome-Kwabenya MP expressed regret for the bad behaviour, admitting it was unjustifiable.
Adwoa Safo explained that her actions were unintended, adding that they were the result of complex personal and family challenges she was facing at the time.
According to her, it was not her intention to disrespect President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Bawumia, Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Adwoa Safo, who is the immediate-past Deputy Majority Leader, also pleaded for forgiveness from the entire Majority Caucus and the party’s regional and constituency executives.
“It was not my intention to disrespect you. There was a lot going on in my life and family. I’m using this medium to plead for your forgiveness in the name of God,” she emphasised.
She again apologised to the party hierarchy as well as the party faithful, constituents and sympathisers.
On July 29, 2022, President Akufo-Addo revoked the appointment of Sarah Adwoa Safo as the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection and asked the then Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, to act as caretaker.
Prior to the revocation of her appointment, Speaker of Parliament, Alban S.K. Bagbin, had deferred for further study a decision on Adwoa Safo’s fate regarding her absence from the sittings of the House for more than 15 days without written approval.
By Ernest Kofi Adu