Adwoa Safo enjoying NDC support …as she snubs Akufo-Addo, Chief of Staff, Osei-Kyei and NPP

It is intriguing that a number of Members of Parliament from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are publicly defending the absentee MP for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, who was last seen in Parliament on December 1, last year; although the Speaker, Alban Bagbin, has denied reports he gave her permission to be absent.

Alban Bagbin was categorical in his statement last Thursday: “It’s important I diffuse some fake news, which is being circulated that I granted an interview to say that Adwoa Safo received permission from me to absent herself from Parliament on health grounds. I want it to be known by all; that I have not granted any such interview anywhere. I’ve not said anything like that anywhere.”

The Speaker continued: “And the votes and proceedings of the House are so loud that if she’s absent without permission for all those days, that’s on the votes and proceedings of the House.

“It’s not the Speaker who determines who’s present and who’s absent. No. The votes and proceedings will capture those who’re present, those who’re absent and those who’re absent with permission. And so please; I’ve received a lot of calls from a number of media men on that issue.

“And that’s why I don’t want to delay in letting the world know that I have not said any such thing anywhere. Please. And tomorrow, I’m going to address the issue of absentee MPs very very clearly for everybody to understand.”

Meanwhile, Adwoa Safo is enjoying the support she is getting from some MPs from the NDC side who have argued in her favour.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

MP for North Tongu and Ranking Member, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for instance, has argued that it is hypocritical for the MPs from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Majority to single out Adwoa Safo and push for her seat to be declared vacant and that she is not the only person who has been absent without leave for 15 days.

“From a thorough and unimpeachable assessment of the Votes and Proceedings of Parliament — between October 26, 2021 and November 24, 2021; two NPP MPs: Ken Ohene Agyapong and Henry Quartey who is also Greater Accra Regional Minister were absent without permission from the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban S.K. Bagbin, for 18 working days each.

“I am therefore perplexed and wondering, in all sincerity, the basis for the discriminatory and unprincipled attacks on Sarah Adwoa Safo by our colleagues on the NPP side of the House, and particularly from Ken Ohene Agyapong who is equally guilty of the same offence he’s been raving and ranting about.

“In all fairness, we expect and will also ensure that the Privileges Committee considers the matter of three absenting MPs and not one. Article 97 (1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution and Order 16 (1) of our Standing Orders must not and will not be applied selectively.

“Realistically, Ghanaians should be preparing for three by-elections in Assin Central, Ayawaso Central and Dome/Kwabenya”, Mr. Okudzeto-Ablakwa argued on his facebook page.

Rockson-Nelson Dafaamekpor

The South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafaamekpor, also speaking on GTV last week noted that: “NPP told the world that an MP can be present in Parliament without being in the Chamber. They claim to have rescinded the rejection of the 2022 budget on these grounds so why Hon. Adwoa Safo absence from the Chamber a problem now?

“On 6th October 2021, government informed the entire nation that it has granted & extended leave of absence dating back to August 2021 to the Hon. Adwoa Safo as a cabinet minister until further notice. So is govt happy of her absence in Cabinet but unhappy with her absence in Parliament?”

Sam Nartey George

MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George, also took to his tweet account in defence of Adwoa Safo: “It would be interesting to see the NPP make a move for Speaker to declare the Dome-Kwabenya seat vacant. Btw 2019 and 2020, the NPP MP for Lower West Akim, Hon Kyei Baffour was missing for over a year from Parliament yet no such move was made. Principles versus Expediency,” Sam George tweeted.

Meanwhile, Adwoa Safo continues to absent herself from Parliament and her college MP from Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has said she had demanded to be given the position of Deputy Majority Leader before she returns to Parliament.

According to Kennedy Agyapong, “There are fine men and women who have made the efforts to talk to Adwoa; first is the President himself, I don’t know why he has a soft spot for Adwoa Safo. Two is the Chief of Staff. Three is Honourable Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and myself … A chief had travelled to where she is just to convince her, she refused to come”

He continued: “Adwoa’s condition is that you have to remove Afenyo-Markin as Deputy Majority Leader and announce it publicly that Afenyo-Markin has been removed then she would take a plane and come. Her second demand is that if she does not get what she wants, she would not come to vote for the E-Levy and if the E-Levy is not passed, the country would go to IMF.”