Bagbin Denies Adwoa Safo Voted for Him in 2021 Speaker Election Amid Persistent Rumours

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has finally addressed ongoing speculation that former MP Sarah Adwoa Safo crossed party lines to vote for him during his election as Speaker of the 8th Parliament in 2021. During a courtesy call from the family of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo on October 13, 2025, Bagbin publicly stated that those rumours are false — and that Adwoa Safo did not vote for him.

Bagbin, who has on several occasions referred to Safo as “my daughter,” said the confusion may stem from their close personal relationship. Many assumed that because of that bond, she must have supported him during the Speaker election. “Because she is my daughter and we love each other, when I was contesting to be Speaker, they thought she voted for me,” he clarified.  He emphasised that he knows who actually voted for him, and Safo was not among them.

Adwoa Safo’s name has long been the subject of political intrigue. After the razor-thin Speaker election in January 2021, accusations emerged within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) suggesting that some of its own MPs may have backed Bagbin, an NDC member. Safo, who was then the MP for Dome-Kwabenya, was among those suspected by some party members.  She has consistently denied the allegations, stating that she voted for Prof. Mike Oquaye, the NPP candidate, and that she aligned with her party’s position.

In the January 2021 Speaker election, no candidate secured an outright majority in the first round, setting the stage for a dramatic runoff. Bagbin was proposed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), while the NPP’s candidate was Professor Mike Oquaye. The vote turned out to be one of the most hotly contested ones in Ghana’s recent parliamentary history. Due to the extremely close vote margin and reports of internal dissent, several names were floated as possible “defectors” — MPs who might have crossed the aisle, whether by accident or intention. It is in this climate that the accusations against Adwoa Safo gained traction.

Bagbin’s statement holds importance on multiple levels. First, it aims to restore Safo’s standing and clear her of what many saw as betrayal or disloyalty within her own party. Internal unity in political parties is sensitive, and accusations—founded or otherwise—can have lasting damage. Second, it helps clarify a major point of historical record: who actually voted for Bagbin in a murky moment in Ghana’s parliamentary politics. For the public and media alike, such accuracy strengthens trust in political reporting and party transparency.

Following Bagbin’s remarks, political commentators and some party insiders have praised his candour, saying it brings closure to long-standing rumours. Some analysts, though, question whether mere denials are enough without the release of verified voting records or further institutional transparency. One analyst told MyJoyOnline that such statements are “important but insufficient” unless backed by concrete proof, especially in a system where parliamentary votes are recorded but often not publicly accessible.

Others point out that Safo’s own denials over the years, especially her comments on Asempa FM and other outlets, already went some way toward refuting the narrative. She challenged those spreading the rumors and said she voted for Oquaye.  Some NPP members argue that the story was used politically — to distract, to shift blame, or as internal leverage during party disputes.

This episode underscores how personal relationships, reputation, and party suspicion shape Ghanaian politics. Even a speaker stating “you are my daughter” can lead to assumptions about loyalty and votes. The lack of publicly available, detailed voting records in key moments contributes to rumors and distrust. When political norms rely heavily on allegiance and expectations rather than transparent documentation, these situations are likely to keep arising.

It also highlights the cost of rumors: for politicians like Adwoa Safo, persistent accusations can become part of their public identity, regardless of their truth. Clearing up such issues is not just about setting records straight—it can affect internal party alignment, leadership ambitions, and public trust.

By explicitly denying that Adwoa Safo voted for him in the 2021 Speaker election, Speaker Bagbin aims to correct a narrative that has persisted for years. While the statement may not settle everything—some will continue to ask for proof—it is a significant step toward addressing heated party rumors. For many observers, it reinforces the need for clearer records of parliamentary votes and greater transparency in political contests in Ghana.

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