Sarah Adwoa Safo, the former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, has stepped forward to address long-standing rumors that she undermined her party by voting against Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye during the 2021 Speaker of Parliament election. The allegations, which have lingered since the surprising outcome of the vote, recently prompted her to set the record straight.
The election, a pivotal moment for Ghana’s 8th Parliament, saw the National Democratic Congress (NDC) nominate Alban Kingsford Sumani Bagbin as their candidate for Speaker. In contrast, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) put forward Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye. Despite the NPP holding a slight edge in parliamentary seats, Bagbin clinched the position with 138 votes to Oquaye’s 136, sparking shock and speculation within political circles.
In the aftermath, fingers pointed at Adwoa Safo, with some NPP loyalists accusing her of crossing party lines to support Bagbin. The claims fueled heated debates and cast a shadow over her reputation. However, during an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen program, the former MP firmly denied the accusations, asserting that she cast her ballot for Prof. Oquaye, the NPP’s chosen candidate.
Adwoa Safo described the allegations as a deliberate smear campaign orchestrated by certain party members intent on damaging her credibility. She vividly recalled the lengths she went to on election day, navigating personal challenges to make it to Parliament. Escorted by a motorcade led by Kyie Mensah Bonsu, she argued it was implausible that she would endure such efforts only to betray her party’s stance.
Shedding further light on the matter, Adwoa Safo hinted at internal dissent within the NPP, revealing that she was aware of at least two other party lawmakers who also did not back Prof. Oquaye. While she stopped short of naming them, her comments suggest the vote’s outcome may have stemmed from broader divisions rather than a single act of defiance.
Calling on the public to dismiss the rumors, Adwoa Safo emphasized her loyalty to the NPP and urged Ghanaians to focus on the facts. Her response not only seeks to clear her name but also reignites questions about unity within the party during one of its most critical moments.
As Ghana reflects on the events of 2021, Adwoa Safo’s account offers a fresh perspective on a contentious chapter in the nation’s political history, challenging the narrative that has defined her role in it until now.
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