The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has postponed his verdict on Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, who has been cited for absenteeism.
It was in question whether the Dome Kwabenya seat would have been declared empty or not after Sarah Adwoa Safo ignored her summons from the Privileges Committee.
Speaking after a debate on the report by the Privileges Committee, today, July, 28, Mr. Bagbin said he wanted more time to present a well-reasoned written decision after the Privileges Committee discussed the report.
“I cannot in the haste of today give you a ruling,” he said.
Mr. Bagbin declared that it was necessary to adjourn the meeting given the situation.
“On return, I will deliver the written ruling,” Mr. Bagbin assured.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, attempted to obstruct the decision on the Privileges Committee report during the discussion.
According to him, the report was presented to offer information and for the plenary to decide on it.
Mr. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu argued that it was improper to advertise the committee’s report as a motion that needed to be decided.
However, Bawku Central MP Mahama Ayariga said that given the seriousness of the situation, Parliament should have considered the issue.
The Privileges Committee had reached a divided conclusion on the fate of Sarah Adwoa Safo who has been absent and out of Ghana for the mandatory 15 days without permission.
A copy of the report indicates that the Majority wanted the seat to be declared vacant meanwhile, the Minority defended the absent MP by arguing that she still deserved a chance to defend herself.
In support of their argument, the Majority referenced Article 97 (1) (c) of the 1992 Constitution and the Court of Appeal’s ruling in the case of Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare v. Attorney General & 3 Ors.
However, the committee found that the justifications provided by her two other colleagues, Kennedy Agyapong and Henry Quartey, for their absence were acceptable.
