Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has revealed that Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, has apologised to her over some claims he made during her long hiatus from Parliament to resolve personal issues.
According to her, Mr Agyapong alleged that a private jet flew her from the United States to Ghana. She noted that the claim is false and to set the record straight, Mr Agyapong apologized to her and invited journalists to Parliament to interview him about the matter.
In an interview on Onua FM on March 11, 2024, Adwoa Safo said, “Of course, and he has apologised to me. If you like, come to Parliament and interview him; it is not true. Some of the things are just hearsay, and if people hear things, they do not have that patience to investigate.”
One of the allegations she addressed was Agyapong’s claim that Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare provided her with GH¢120,000, and that she demanded to be appointed deputy majority leader before attending Parliament during her absence from the chamber.
She discredited these claims and urged Ghanaians to verify information before spreading it. She emphasized the importance of caution and diligence in discerning the truth.
“Nana, all those things aren’t true,” she said.
Sarah Adwoa Safo 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 this, she was not able to fulfill her mandate as a Member of Parliament and a Minister of State.
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.
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.
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.
In September 2023, Sarah Adwoa Safo rendered an apology to the Ghanaian populace for her absence and inactivity during her tenure as a lawmaker and minister.