Controversy Surrounds MP Sarah Adwoa Safo's Apology Following Prolonged Absence from Parliament: An analysis

A significant number of social media users on Facebook have rejected the apology issued by the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Ms. Sarah Adwoa Safo, regarding her recent controversial actions.

Ms. Sarah Adwoa Safo, who has been serving as the MP for Dome-Kwabenya since 2012, made headlines when she inexplicably absented herself from Parliament after a recess in January 2022. Her absence was met with disapproval from both parliamentary leadership and the Ghanaian public, as she failed to provide any clear reasons for her extended absence.

In May 2022, Ms. Safo broke her silence in an interview from the United States of America (USA) where she attributed her prolonged absence to family issues, particularly her son's illness. Additionally, she accused some Minority MPs and certain colleagues from the Majority MPs of engaging in a political witch hunt against her.

Her absence led to calls for her immediate removal as a minister and demands for her parliamentary seat to be declared vacant. As a result, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo removed her from her role as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection on July 28, 2022. The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, had previously deferred his ruling on her case when she was cited for absenteeism. 

Ms. Safo eventually returned to her parliamentary duties on November 11, 2022, after being away for nearly a year. Upon her return, she expressed her gratitude for the warm reception and reiterated her commitment to serving the constituents of Dome-Kwabenya. 

In an attempt to address the situation, Ms. Safo released a widely circulated video in which she apologized to the leadership of Parliament, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), her constituents, and all Ghanaians for her previous behaviour. However, her apology lacked specific details about her actions and attributed them to personal and family challenges.

It is worth noting that Ms. Safo had previously requested a leave of absence in 2021 to attend to personal matters. Her leave was initially scheduled to end on August 31, 2021, but it was extended indefinitely, as explained in a statement dated October 6, 2021, issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr. Eugene Arhin.

Social media users have expressed their discontent with Ms. Safo's apology video and have called for her resignation as an MP. Many have indicated their intention to vote against her in future elections. Criticism of her leadership and actions has been a recurring theme among online commenters.

A user with the name Adjoa Roberta MrsOkayFM who commented on UTV’s Adekya Nsroma show said “Good morning, Team AdekyeNsroma. Hon. Sarah Adwoa's apology is accepted but we will vote her out, so she better prepare for her loss. Such a big disappointment.”

Another user who commented on the same show with the username Teacher Kudjoe Tepa Anyiasuo said “It’s because of ungrateful Sarah Adwoa Safo that we have a speaker from opposition who frustrates all government businesses, how can you be that wicked against a party that made you who you are? I am not a voter at Dome Kwabenya but trust me I will come and help your opponent against you…” 

Raphael Kofi Osei who commented on the Citi Breakfast show of CitifFM said “Adjoa Sarfo doesn't understand what being a leader and having the people's mandate means. She should stay clear away from politics. I guess if you stretch that that applies to a lot of our leaders. Sigh.”

Analysis

A detailed examination of social media comments across five prominent Ghanaian media outlets, including UTV, Oman FM, TV3, Asaase Radio, and Citi FM, sheds light on the multifaceted reactions to MP Sarah Adwoa Safo's recent apology following her extended absence from Parliament.

In a span of two and a half hours, a total of 1,645 comments were recorded, revealing a range of sentiments. While three commenters expressed acceptance of the MP's apology and advocated for forgiveness from Ghanaians, the parliamentary leadership, and the NPP, two others refrained from taking a clear stance, raising questions about the nature of her perceived wrongdoing. Notably, 79 commenters strongly rejected her apology and demanded her immediate resignation as an MP, expressing doubts about her chances in any future re-election in Dome-Kwabenya.

However, the majority of the comments, a total of 1,561, diverged from the discussion's central theme. They primarily consisted of pleasantries extended to show hosts and guests, advertisements promoting products and services, and unrelated topics. 

Key Observations

• While there was significant viewership on the social media pages, the number of comments directly related to the discussed matter remained relatively low.
• The bulk of comments across various platforms encompassed greetings, product and service advertisements, and subjects unrelated to the MP's apology.

Conclusion

Based on this analysis, it is evident that a portion of sampled Ghanaian viewpoints strongly reject the MP's apology. Moreover, questions were raised about the timing of her apology. This situation underscores the paramount importance of transparency and accountability in public office while highlighting the substantial influence of social media in shaping public perceptions and discussions.