Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, has expressed his displeasure with Dome Kwabena MP Sarah Adowa Safo over her recent statement regarding her absence from Parliament.
In an interview with Joy News last week, Madam Safo stated that her return to serve her country is dependent on her son’s health.
In response, Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated that the MP’s absence for 15 sittings without the Speaker’s authorization is a violation of Standing Order 17(1) of Parliament and Article 97(1)(c) of the Constitution.
The Suame legislator described Adwoa Safo’s absence as concerning in an interview with Okay FM, urging that she leave her position if she has no information of her return to parliament.
Adwoa Safo, he claims, cannot abandon her responsibilities and deny her constituents the right to be heard and represented in parliament. As a result, declaring her seat vacant would be a step in the right path.
The Majority Leader added that by leaving her seat, the government will be able to hold bye-elections to choose a candidate committed to representing the people of Dome-Kwabenya in Parliament.
She has been in the United States for over a year, looking after her children, especially one who, according to her, requires particular care due to medical concerns.
Due to her prolonged absence, Adwoa Safo has been referred to the Privileges Committee with two other MPs, Henry Quartey of Ayawaso Central and Kennedy Agyapong of Assin North.
The Privileges Committee was to meet the Dome Kwabenya MP today, May 27, over her absence in Parliament.
However, due to her absence, the said interrogation which was to be held in private, as stated by Ranking Member on the Privileges Committee, Ricketts Kweku Hagan, would not take place.
Source: The Independent Ghana