A high-stakes political drama has erupted in Ghana after a governance expert called for a criminal investigation into allegations of impersonation during the contentious 2022 E-Levy vote, while former MP Sarah Adwoa Safo publicly defended her controversial abstention.
Dr. Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, a fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana), has issued a scathing demand for state agencies to identify an alleged imposter who may have impersonated Adwoa Safo during the Electronic Transfer Levy’s parliamentary passage.
“How a sitting government may have used criminality to impose a tax on us can’t just be swept under the carpet,” Dr. Sarpong wrote on Facebook, citing two damning scenarios:
“The possible scenarios are that she was there and voted which makes her statement today a lie or she wasn’t there and an imposter voted on her behalf which means the vote was won fraudulently. Either way, only an investigation can uncover the truth.”
The CDD fellow argued that either outcome undermines the legitimacy of the E-Levy, which passed by a single vote (138-137) in March 2022.
“In the matter of Adwoa Safo. Assuming her previous comment that she was in the chamber on the day is true and she abstained, the vote will have been 137-137 and the e-levy won’t have passed. If the vote was by voice, then she couldn’t have abstained as that option doesn’t arise in a voice vote.”
Adwoa Sarfo’s Bombshell: “I Abstained, No Regrets”
In a rare interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, the former Gender Minister and Dome Kwabenya MP claimed she deliberately abstained from voting, calling the levy “a burden on citizens.”
“I have no regrets. My conviction was clear: the E-Levy would not benefit Ghana,” Sarfo stated, dismissing critics who accused her of dereliction of duty.
The scandal has reignited debates about parliamentary transparency and the rule of law.
Dr. Sarpong warned that unresolved questions could erode confidence in Ghana’s democratic institutions.
“If an imposter voted, it’s a criminal act. If Sarfo lied, it’s a breach of public trust. Either way, the truth must come out,” he urged.
The police and security agencies have yet to comment on the matter.
Background:
In December 2021, the NDC Minority in Parliament said it is investigating a suspected case of impersonation of the Member of Parliament (MP) of Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo when the 2021 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government was approved.
According to the then Minority MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa after reviewing footage of yesterday’s sitting it was becoming apparent that there may have been a case of impersonation of the Dome Kwabenya MP.
“Following pictures and videos we are reviewing this morning it is becoming quite apparent to us that there may be a case of impersonation.
The lady who was presented as Adwoa Safo. It’s beginning to appear that she may not be the one and it is a matter that we are investigating seriously and we are probing further and I am sure that in subsequent hours we will make our decision on what we will like to do clear on that matter”, Ablakwa told the media.
But ahead of that investigations, many pictures and names, including that of one Becky Safo was making the rounds as the person who most likely impersonated the MP, who has been in the US since May, this year in the aftermath of her troubles with the widow of late New Patriotic Party (NPP) stalwart, Major Courage Quashigah.
But the name and picture being linked to the alleged criminal conduct of impersonation is that of Afia Akoto, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) under the Office of the President.
Afia, a diehard NPP activist, is also light skinned just like the Dome-Kwabenya MP, but slightly busty and has more butt compared to the legislator.
Sarah Adwoa who popped up in Parliament on that faithful Wednesday without the black COVID-19 nose mask her alleged impersonator had worn on Tuesday, insisted she was not impersonated, but comparisons made on her and that of the supposed impostor, particularly Afia Akoto, shows that while Adwoa Safo has several layers of folded skin on her neck, the imposter didn’t
Adwoa Safo leave
On October 6, 2021, Mrs Safo who doubles as the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection had her leave which was to have ended on August 31 extended by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
It was unclear when Mrs Safo first went on leave.
In her absence, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon Cecilia Abena Dapaah has been acting as caretaker Minister at the Gender Ministry.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kwadwo Owusu
