I did not mean to disrespect you – Sarah Adwoa Safo apologizes to Ghanaians
I did not mean to disrespect you – Sarah Adwoa Safo apologizes to Ghanaians
Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, has rendered an apology to the Ghanaian populace for her absence and inactivity during her tenure as a lawmaker and minister.
In a viral broadcast, the former Gender Minister apologized to President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Parliament, the Chief of Staff, and her constituents in Dome-Kwabenya.
Adwoa Safo noted in her message that the harm that she caused was not out of malice and not deliberate.
“I want to use this opportunity to apologize to the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). I want to apologize to President Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, Majority Leader and the entire leadership of Parliament.
“Some years ago, I displayed some actions which were disrespectful but they were not deliberate. It was not out of malice. A lot of things were happening in my life and family. I ask you in the name of God Almighty to forgive me.
“My constituency executives, supporters, sympathizers, I’m sorry,” she said.
The MP had been in the United States for over a year (since November 2021), looking after her children, especially one who, according to her, required particular care due to medical concerns.
Due to her prolonged absence, Adwoa Safo was referred to the Privileges Committee with two other MPs, Henry Quartey of Ayawaso Central and Kennedy Agyapong of Assin North for violating Standing Order 17(1) of Parliament and Article 97(1)(c) of the Constitution for being absent for 15 sittings.
Adwoa Safo adressed her absence from parliament
Several attempts to meet the MP failed due to a lack of receipts. On the matter, Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu described Adwoa Safo’s absence as concerning in an interview with Okay FM, urging that she leave her position if she has no information about her return to parliament.
On May 22, 2022, Adwoa Safo engaged the press to explain the reason behind her absence.
She cited the well being of her son as the primary reason for her stay in the United States.
“As you know, my son is unwell and has to transition to school, so I have to ensure that all that is settled before I can resume my duties and that is exactly what I am doing.”
“I have been doing a lot to take care of my children which the law requires and as you know here in the foreign land, I have to comply with whatever I am directed to do and until all that is sorted out, I have to do what I have to do, and then I will return to my duties.”
“I will be returning definitely to serve my people. I lead and serve the people of Dome-Kwabenya and I have done that for the past 12 years and I know exactly what my responsibilities are, and I am definitely going to do that,” she told JoyNews.
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Akufo-Addo informed
According to her, she had informed the President of her predicament.
On Thursday, July 28, 2022, President Akufo-Addo relieved Sarah Adwoa Safo of her duties as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection in accordance with Article 81(a) of the constitution.
In response, she thanked the President for the honour given her to serve her country.
Although she got sacked as a Minister, her removal as an MP did not materialise as Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, deferred his ruling on the Dome Kwabenya MP after the Privileges Committee delivered a split decision on the fate of Adwoa Safo who finally made an appearance before the Committee.
On November 22, 2022, Adwoa Safo was sighted in Parliament following her absence since the House approved the 2022 budget in November 2021.
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