Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has offered an unqualified apology to the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) but particularly to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for her conduct over the past years.
According to her, she never intended to put the President and the party in such a difficult situation but was a reaction to some personal difficulties she was going through.
In a broadcast on social media the former Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection also apologized to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and the leadership of Parliament, the Majority caucus and fellow Members of Parliament.
Sarah Adwoa Safo has been in the United States since November 2021 due to what she described as a pressing need and was unable to fulfil her mandate as a Member of Parliament and a Minister of State.
She was subsequently referred to the Privileges Committee due to her prolonged absence, which violates Standing Order 17(1) of Parliament and Article 97(1)(c) of the Constitution for being absent for 15 sittings.
In July 2022 President Akufo-Addo also 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 her message, Adwoa Safo indicated that the harm she may have caused was not out of malice and was not deliberate.
“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.
Although she was sacked as a Minister, her removal as an MP did not materialise as Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, deferred his ruling on the matter after the Privileges Committee delivered a split decision on her fate.