Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has rendered an apology to Ghanaians for her absence for about a year during her tenure as a lawmaker and minister.
Adwoa Safo’s absenteeism commenced after the House approved the 2022 budget in November 2021.
In a message shared on her social media platform on Thursday, September 14, Adwoa Safo admitted that her absence caused inconvenience for the government, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the Dome-Kwabenya constituents.
She therefore apologised to President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Parliament, the Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, and her constituents.
The former Gender Minister, however, clarified that her absence was not driven by malice.
“I want to use this platform to apologize to my party members, the NPP Patriotic Party, and all party leaders. First of all, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, his Vice President, our mother, the Chief of Staff Hon. Frema Osei-Opare, the Majority Leader, and the entire leadership of Parliament.
“My fellow MPs in the majority caucus, I want to take this platform to apologize to you. Some time ago, some things I did, I want to plead with you that it was not deliberate, and it was not that I had decided to disrespect you. There were certain things that were happening in my life and in my family. I am on this platform begging you all in the name of God.
“My regional executive in Greater Accra, my constituency executives headed by Chairman Bonsu, the headquarters of NPP, the General Secretary, and the National Chairman, and all those who work with you, I apologize to you all. Supporters and sympathizers who all love the party, who loved me and had faith in me and our constituency, I apologize to you all. For all that has happened, please forgive me my sins.
“There is a proverb that says, when your child eases themselves on your leg, you do not cut it off, you wipe it off. For whatever has happened, I beg you all in the name of God.
“My name is Adwoa Safo, MP for Dome Kwabenya. God bless you all,” she said in the local dialect, Twi.
Sarah Adwoa Safo, M.P for Dome-Kwabenya apologizes for actions in recent past
#INDNews
2026 World Cup | Sam George | Kennedy Agyapong | Lasmid | Dampare | Kuami Eugene | Kene pic.twitter.com/yoOWOozNwG— The Independent Ghana (@independent_gh) September 14, 2023
However, the tone of the message did not reflect the Adwoa Safo Ghanaians knew a biennium or a lustrum ago. Her stay in the United States of America appears to have altered her mother tongue. She did not pronounce words as a native would.
In Ghana, such a phenomenon is coined Locally Acquired Foreign Accent (L.A.F.A).
For some tweeps, her LAFA was the main subject of her message, not its content.
A user, Adam Sirina Ziblim, asked “She is from which country America or Ghana.”
On May 22, 2022, Adwoa Safo explained to Ghanaians that she was residing in the United States in order to cater for her ailing son.
According to her, she had informed the President of her predicament. Later, on November 22, 2022, she was sighted in Parliament, assuming her legislative duties.
Adowa Safo’s absence, however, came with consequences. On Thursday, July 28, 2022, President Akufo-Addo relieved her of her duties as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection in accordance with Article 81(a) of the 1992 constitution.
Meanwhile, some residents of Dome Kwabenya have welcomed Adowa Safo’s apology. However, they noted that she will not be considered for the parliamentary election in 2024 should she contest on the ticket of the NPP.
theindependentghana.com