Sarah Adwoa Safo, the former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, recently opened up about her rocky political journey in a candid interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen program. The conversation peeled back layers of controversy surrounding her time with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), shedding light on her defeat in the party’s primaries and stirring fresh discussions about Ghana’s political dynamics. Her revelations both confirmed lingering rumors and ignited new debates. Here are the five key takeaways from her tell-all discussion.
Safo attributed her loss in the NPP’s January 2024 primaries to a rift with the party. She argued that a breakdown in communication led the NPP to misjudge her intentions, ultimately orchestrating her defeat to Mike Oquaye Jnr. Her prolonged absence from parliamentary duties and her subsequent removal as Minister for Gender had already fueled frustration among party loyalists, paving the way for her electoral downfall.
In a surprising twist, Safo came to the defense of Carlos Ahenkorah, the former Tema West MP infamous for snatching and chewing ballot papers during a tense parliamentary vote in January 2021. She downplayed the incident, framing it as a misunderstood act of loyalty rather than a breach of democratic norms, a stance that has reignited public scrutiny of that chaotic moment.
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising part of the interview was her explanation for missing the pivotal E-Levy vote in 2022. Safo insisted she deliberately abstained, unconvinced that the levy would serve Ghana’s interests. Yet her account stirs unease, especially given reports of a mysterious masked woman allegedly occupying her seat during the session. At the time, whispers swirled that the NPP, desperate to secure a razor-thin majority, might have enlisted an imposter to cast the vote—a claim that remains unresolved and continues to haunt the party’s reputation.
Safo didn’t hold back in defending NPP presidential hopeful Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, dismissing suggestions that he should shoulder the blame for the party’s recent struggles at the polls. She also took aim at Professor Mike Oquaye, who is spearheading a probe into the NPP’s election setbacks, urging him to zoom in on the dynamics within Dome-Kwabenya rather than casting a wider net. Her pointed critique hints at deeper tensions within the party’s ranks.
The former MP also pulled back the curtain on her treatment after being demoted in Parliament. Relegated to the backbench—a spot usually reserved for newcomers—she described the move as unjust, a stinging fall from grace for a seasoned lawmaker. She credited NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong and Deputy Majority Leader Habib Iddrisu for stepping in to smooth things over, though the episode clearly left its mark.
Safo’s political woes trace back to early 2022, when her extended stay in the United States for personal and family reasons sparked outrage among her colleagues. The decision nearly cost her parliamentary seat and prompted President Akufo-Addo to strip her of her ministerial role. Her interview offers a rare glimpse into the fallout, blending defiance with reflection as she navigates the wreckage of a once-promising career. Whether her words mend fences or deepen divides, they’ve undeniably set the stage for a broader reckoning within the NPP and beyond.
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