The Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has apologized to the leaders and members of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) following her prolonged absence from parliament.
In a video shared on her Facebook page on Thursday, September 14, 2023, she specifically addressed the president, the majority caucus, the entire leadership of parliament, and members and sympathizers of NPP.
Citing personal and family challenges, she stated that her actions were not intentional and meant no disrespect to the party.
“I want to use this opportunity to render an unreserved apology to my party, the New Patriotic Party, and its leaders. First and foremost, the president, Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, the Majority Leader, the entire leadership of parliament, and the Majority Caucus.
“My actions in the recent past were not deliberate, neither did I intend to disrespect you. There was a lot going on in my life and family then. To all the people who loved and believed in me, I am begging you to forgive me in the name of God,” the former Gender Minister pleaded.
Background
The embattled lawmaker belonging to the ruling NPP requested for leave of absence in 2021 to attend to personal issues.
However, she continued to be absent from the House even after she exhausted her extended leave period.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin subsequently referred her and two other MPs to the Privileges Committee.
The Committee indicated that on three different occasions, Ms. Safo failed to honor a Zoom invitation to explain her absence from parliament.
This led to her subsequent sacking as the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
It observed that Madam Adwoa Safo failed to take advantage of the numerous opportunities to explain her absence without leave.
The Minority MPs had argued that according to the principle of natural justice, the seat should not be declared vacant because Madam Safo did not provide her side of the story to the Committee.