Former Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has finally broken her silence on her decision to abstain from voting on the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) in 2022.
According to Adwoa, her decision was based on her conviction that the E-Levy would not benefit Ghana and would instead impose hardships on citizens.
“I made that principled decision,” she said on Tuesday, March 18.
Adwoa Safo speaking on Asempa Fm revealed that her decision was heavily influenced by consultations with her constituents and father particularly church members in the Dome Kwabenya area, who expressed concerns about the negative impact the levy would have on their livelihoods.
“I was torn between my loyalty to my political party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and my commitment to the people I represented,” she added.
Adwoa Safo’s decision to abstain from voting on the E-Levy was not taken lightly.
She had previously been accused of demanding to be made Deputy Majority Leader in exchange for her vote.
However, Adwoa Safo maintained that her decision was principled and rooted in her desire to prioritize the interests of her constituents.
“I have no regrets about my choice,” she emphasized.
The former MP also called for more principle-minded voting on the floor of Parliament, urging lawmakers to prioritize their convictions over party directives.
“Such an approach would enrich Ghana’s democracy and ensure that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard in legislative decisions,” she argued.
Adwoa Safo further acknowledged that the E-Levy’s passage had affected the fortunes of the NPP, including its performance in the just-ended general elections.
However, she maintained that her choice was guided by her principles and the best interests of her constituents.
“I was present in the House on the day the levy was passed,” she clarified, addressing conspiracy theories that she had been impersonated.
Adwoa Safo’s decision to abstain from voting on the E-Levy was a principled one, driven by her commitment to her constituents and her conviction that the levy would harm Ghanaian citizens.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
