Social media has been inundated since Tuesday with videos of a lady netizens in Ghana believe stormed Parliament to impersonate MP for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP and Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection had been away from public since she took her leave of absence to take of personal matters some months ago.
Although she was due to return on August 31, 2021, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo extended her leave of absence from office as a Minister.
In a statement dated Wednesday, October 6, 2021, signed and issued by the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin, it said while Adwoa Safo was on the seeming indefinite leave, Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, would act in her stead.
However, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, when the Majority MPs needed their numbers to push through the contentious 2022 budget, Adwoa Safo showed up.
Many say the lady in a black nose mask, who walked calmly to her seat after fist-bumping with some MPs on the Majority aisle was not Adwoa Safo.
Is this the Honourable Adwoa Safo? pic.twitter.com/SyNyL2CeuV
— Dr. Samuel Sesah (@samuel_sesah) December 1, 2021
It’s Alleged the NPP today brought in an imposter to Parliament to act as Hon. Adwoa Safo and They didn’t have the numbers 😨😱😳‼️
— Nana Fapimso (@pnorvinyo_17) December 1, 2021
Ei..!! Ghana, matter come o..!! Herh 🙆🏽♂️🙆🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/PCWxLqPu2P
Ah Kevin Taylor is on TV saying this is not Adwoa Safo but her look alike that was illegally brought today to Parliament to vote 😂😂😂😊
— Austine Woode (@obiMpenaAustine) November 30, 2021
Ladies and gentlemen I'm not coming back to Ghana any time soon pic.twitter.com/tlhdTcfhYO
We should be very worried that the President extended Minister and MP Adwoa Safo’s leave and she’s been absent for close to 3months
— Austine Woode (@obiMpenaAustine) November 30, 2021
However she could suddenly appear today just because the majority needed ALL their members to pass a budget
This is a budget many have issues with
Already, the video has caught the attention of the Minority who say the matter of a possible impersonation of Adwoa Safo would be investigated.
Minority MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has disclosed that his side is investigating the case.
He told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday that the Minority side suspects the lady the Majority side came in with was not 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 with regards to the lady who was presented as Adwoa Safo. It’s beginning to appear that she may not be Adwoa Safo,” he said.
Impersonation is an offence under Ghana's Criminal Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Also, Article 105 of the Constitution provides that a person commits an offence when he or she sits or votes in Parliament knowing she is not entitled to.
Such a person is liable for conviction.
Watch the videos below and judge for yourself.