Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has refuted reports widely circulated that he granted permission for embattled Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo to be absent from Parliament.
This follows the circulation of a quote on Social Media to the effect he granted the MP permission to be absent.
Addressing the matter on the floor, Mr. Bagbin said the matters of who is present and absent are captured in the votes of proceedings for all to see and thus do not lie in his purview.
“It is important I defuse some fake news which is being circulated that I granted an interview to say that Honourable Adwoa Safo received permission from me to absent herself from parliament on health grounds. I want it to be known by all that I have not granted any such interview anywhere, I have not said anything like that anywhere.
“The votes and proceedings of the house are so loud that she is absent without permission for all those days. That is the votes and proceedings of the House, it is not the speaker who determines who is present and who is absent, no. The votes and proceedings will capture those who are present, those who are absent and those who are absent with permission.”
The speaker used the opportunity to serve notice he will make full disclosure on absentee MPs tomorrow.
The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Freddie Blay had earlier stated in an interview that Adwoa Safo had asked permission to be away for some time.
“Adwoa Safo had asked permission to be away for some time,” he said when asked about the whereabouts of the Gender Minister.
Some members of the NPP including the MP for New Juabeng South, Michael Okyere Baafi, believe Adwoa Safo is sabotaging the government by making its work in Parliament difficult.
“All the problems government is facing are attributable to Adwoa Safo. Clearly, her intention and posture show that she wants to sabotage NPP,” he said on Kumasi-based Hello FM.
