The Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya constituency in the Greater Accra Region, Sarah Adwoa Safo, will return to Parliament in October after the August body returns from recess.
Aide to the absentee Member of Parliament, Nana Dubin, said Safo will be present once Parliament reconvenes in October.
Dubin added that the erstwhile Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection would also accept whatever decision the Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Alban Sumaila Kingsford Bagbin, would make regarding her position as MP.
“The Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya will be present after Parliament’s recess and will take any decision the Speaker of Parliament gives in good stride,” Nana Dubin said.
Privileges Committee Ruling
Sarah Adwoa Safo was one of three Members of Parliament summoned to appear before the Privileges Committee of Parliament following a long absence from the house beyond the permissible period.
The two other MPs summoned, Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central and Henry Quartey, MP for Ayawaso Central, made appearances before the committee, but Adwoa Safo failed to make an appearance.
The Privileges Committee presented its report to the Speaker for a final ruling, recommending that her seat be declared vacant – but the speaker deferred the ruling.
“The issue raised by the Minority Leader, I need time to submit to this House a reasoned written ruling. I cannot in a haste of today, give you a ruling. In the circumstances I will urge this House to postpone… On return I will deliver a written ruling. I will proceed to adjourn proceedings,” the Speaker said.
Honourable Safo went on a self-imposed exile to the United States that far exceeded the permissible period allowed for MPs.
She attributed her absence to ‘family issues’.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stripped her of her position as Minister for Gender following her long absence.
Source: theGhanaianVoice.Com