Dr. Bawumia cannot be faulted for NPP’s 2024 election loss – Adwoa Safo

Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has strongly defended Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, asserting that he cannot be held responsible for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general elections.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s political talk show Ekosiisen, Adwoa Safo pointed to the neglect of the party’s grassroots in the Ashanti Region as a key factor in the poor performance, rather than any failings on the part of the party’s presidential candidate.
She explained that this neglect gave the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) an opportunity to gain four parliamentary seats in the region, a development that weakened the NPP’s traditional stronghold.
Despite the election setback, Adwoa Safo reaffirmed her confidence in Dr. Bawumia, describing him as the right choice for the party and expressing unwavering support for him moving forward.

NPP leaders share insights on party’s future
With the party anticipating the release of the Prof. Mike Ocquaye report on the factors behind the 2024 election defeat, several high-profile NPP members have begun sharing their views on what went wrong and how the party can rebuild.
Adwoa Safo’s comments add to the growing conversation among party faithful, many of whom are pushing for introspection and strategic changes ahead of the next election cycle.

Adwoa Safo blames internal wrangling for her defeat
Reflecting on her own political misfortune, Adwoa Safo attributed her defeat in the party primaries to a misunderstanding and misinterpretation of her actions by party officials.
She alleged that certain individuals within the party were determined to punish her, despite her efforts to make amends. According to her, some party officials felt slighted by her past actions and orchestrated her removal from the primaries, ultimately costing her the opportunity to retain her seat in Parliament.

Denies receiving money from former chief of staff
Addressing allegations that former Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei Opare deposited GH₵120,000 into her account at Fidelity Bank, Adwoa Safo categorically denied the claim.
She clarified that she does not even hold a dollar account at Fidelity Bank and dismissed the speculation as unfounded.

Claims of mistreatment in parliament
Adwoa Safo also disclosed that she was relegated to the backbench in Parliament, a move she described as a breach of parliamentary tradition.
She argued that former Majority or Minority Leaders are usually given seats directly behind the current leadership, but in her case, this convention was disregarded.
She viewed the move as part of a broader attempt to sideline her within the party.

E-Levy controversy and her decision to abstain
The former Gender Minister also defended her decision to abstain from voting on the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) in 2022.
She explained that her stance was guided by the concerns of her constituents, particularly members of her church in the Dome Kwabenya constituency, who feared the levy would impose financial hardship on them.
Adwoa Safo said she was torn between loyalty to the NPP and her commitment to the people she represented.
However, she ultimately chose to side with her constituents, a decision she insists was principled and rooted in her responsibility as a representative of the people.

Call for principle-based voting in Parliament
Adwoa Safo further urged lawmakers to prioritize their convictions over party directives when voting on policies in Parliament.
She argued that principle-based voting would enhance Ghana’s democracy and ensure that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard in legislative decisions.
She acknowledged that the passage of the E-Levy had negatively impacted the NPP’s electoral performance, but she stood by her choice, stating that going against the concerns of her constituents would have been a betrayal of their trust.

Responds to allegations of impersonation in parliament
During the heated debates surrounding the passage of the E-Levy bill in 2021, rumors circulated that Adwoa Safo had been impersonated to boost the NPP’s numbers in Parliament.
Some speculated that she had refused to return to Ghana and that another person was used to cast a vote in her name.
When asked directly if she was present in the House on the day of the vote, Adwoa Safo firmly stated that she was indeed there.

Looking ahead
As the NPP looks to rebuild after its 2024 electoral defeat, the insights of party figures like Adwoa Safo will likely play a key role in shaping internal discussions. With the Prof. Ocquaye report expected to provide further analysis, the party faces the challenge of addressing internal divisions, strengthening its grassroots support, and ensuring unity ahead of the next election cycle.