The African Center for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) has demanded that the seat for the Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament (MP) be declared empty due to Adwoa Safo's protracted absence.
The Center's executive director, Dr. Rasheed Draman, claims that the constituency's residents have long been underrepresented.
"The Dome-Kwabenya people have long been denied representation. It is preferable if the seat is declared empty if Adwoa Safo can no longer serve as their representative, the ACEPA Director reportedly remarked, according to Citinewsroom.com.
Dr. Rasheed Draman was commenting in response to Sarah Adwoa Safo's refusal to testify before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee despite repeated requests for her to do so.
The committee feels humiliated by the MP's choice to decline their invitation, according to Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan, the committee's ranking member in an interview.
However, the ACEPA Director asserts that in relation to the Dome-Kwabenya MP, parliament owes Ghanaians some explanations.
"The concern is, what are the processes for how long a Minister of State may be absent from duty? She has not been served by the Privileges Committee, and all others. Do we have any laws or principles that govern how our nation is to be run? If not, our leaders will need to respond to certain inquiries. There are many unanswered issues surrounding the entire Adwoa Safo matter. We've got questions for Parliament.
"Our Parliament appears to be unable to control itself. This is conveying very negative messages, and if nothing is done to address it, the public may stop respecting Parliament, he said.
Adwoa Safo was dragged before the Privileges Committee of parliament together with two other NPP members, Kennedy Agyapong and Henry Quartey, for neglecting to participate in the work of the house for more than 15 consecutive sittings without the required authorization. Since then, the other two have made an appearance and justified their absence from the House with medical issues.