Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has expressed her frustration with the party’s disciplinary committee, after the committee failed to inform her about the postponement of her scheduled appearance.
The decision to summon her to the disciplinary committee followed her comments on JoyNews’ The Pulse show, which the party leadership viewed as a direct violation of an earlier directive prohibiting members from discussing matters that could create disaffection and unrest within the party.
Sarah Adwoa Safo
In response to the summons, she arrived at the NPP headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra on Monday, 7 April, fully prepared for her hearing. Before her arrival, some party supporters stormed the office to show their support.
However, she discovered that no committee was sitting, and instead, she was met by just one party official.
Adwoa Safo was particularly frustrated as the NPP had served her with a summons letter on a Sunday, but failed to inform her of any changes to the plans.
“There was no committee sitting today,” she explained. “I had an engagement with a national party officer, but there was no hearing. I’m left wondering why I was served a summons on a Sunday for a meeting that didn’t take place. If there was a change of plans, why wasn’t I personally informed? Why wasn’t I contacted by phone? Some of you have my number directly.”
She further voiced her frustration over the lack of communication, particularly as she had arrived fully prepared for the meeting.
She also emphasised that the party needed to handle such matters with professionalism and seriousness.
“As a party, we need to take these matters more seriously,” she said. “I came here ready for the committee meeting, but now I find myself in a situation where there’s no hearing, no committee, and no explanation. This could have been handled much more effectively.”
As a lawyer, she pointed out that when someone is referred to a disciplinary committee, the presumption is that they have committed a wrongdoing and are facing disciplinary action.
That is the purpose of the disciplinary committee. So, why ridicule me in public and then tell me that the committee isn’t even sitting? she quizzed.
“The message being sent to the public is that I have done something wrong, something untoward, and that I have come here to be disciplined,” he said.
I’ve come here, but there is no one here, which suggests the case is either baseless or there is no finding on it. I thought this matter could have been handled better, which is why I came here today to see what was happening, only to find nothing has been done.” Is this how I’m being treated? It’s disheartening.”
Adwoa Safo reaffirmed her commitment to the party and confirmed her availability for any future disciplinary hearings, should she be called upon.
“I will be available to appear before the party whenever I’m called upon,” she said.Source: Kareen Tei