Former Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has revealed why she chose not to vote on the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) in 2022.
The former lawmaker, she has no regrets about her choice says the bill was not in the best interest of Ghanaians.
She explained that 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 in an interview.
Adwoa Safo based her decision on consultations she had with her constituents, particularly church members in the Dome Kwabenya area. These constituents raised several negative impacts the levy would have on their livelihoods, insisting it not be passed.
She admitted being stuck between remaining loyal to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), or standing by her constituents whom she represented in parliament.
The former MP stressed that her decision was principled and rooted in her desire to prioritize the interests of her constituents. She expressed pride in her choice, stating that going against the concerns of her church and community would have left them disappointed.
She advised current legislators to also approach voting on issues in parliament with commitment towards their constituents and not the party’s directives.
She argued that such an approach would enrich Ghana’s democracy and ensure that the voices of ordinary citizens are heard in legislative decisions.
Reflecting on the broader implications of her decision, Adwoa Safo 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.
In the heat that accompanied the passage of the E-Levy Bill in 2021, there were conspiracy theories that the MP had been impersonated to ramp up the numbers of the then-Majority as she was not willing to return to Ghana.
When she was asked if she was in the House on the day the levy was passed, Adwoa Safo stated she was present.
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