‘I nearly lost my life’ – Adwoa Safo
'I nearly lost my life' – Adwoa Safo recounts Kwabenya Shooting Incident
Former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo has said she narrowly escaped death during the June 21 shooting incident at her brother Israel Kwadwo Safo’s residence in Kwabenya, describing the ordeal as one of the darkest moments of her life.
Speaking in a radio interview with Okay FM in Accra on Tuesday, July 28, Ms Safo said she had gone to the residence of her brother, popularly known as Akofena, to persuade him to halt plans for his installation as leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission following the ongoing family succession dispute.
According to her, she drove herself to the house without a bodyguard, driver or firearm.
She said she was not armed when she visited Akofena and had no firearms or bodyguards, but she was nearly killed when she drove to her brother’s house.
‘I was a Member of Parliament for 12 years. Did you ever hear that I was involved in election violence or pulled a gun during an election? So how could I have pulled a gun in front of my brother’s house? When the incident happened, they fabricated so many stories with the intention of tarnishing my reputation, but that did not work,’ she said.
The former Minister for Public Procurement said she sustained gunshot injuries to her face, head, ear and neck during the incident. She said she underwent several surgeries at the 37 Military Hospital before receiving additional treatment at Bank Hospital and later in the United Kingdom.
The shooting is the subject of an ongoing criminal case before the Adenta Circuit Court.
Nine people, including Israel Kwadwo Safo, have been granted bail of GH¢500,000 each with two sureties. They have pleaded not guilty to charges including possession of firearms and ammunition without lawful authority, use of offensive weapons, discharging firearms in a public place, prohibition of vigilante groups and activities, and causing unlawful damage.
According to the prosecution’s facts presented in court, the incident occurred on June 21 when Ms Safo visited the Kwabenya residence where an installation ceremony for Israel Kwadwo Safo was taking place. Prosecutors allege that armed men at the premises prevented her from entering, resulting in a confrontation during which gunfire broke out. Ms Safo sustained gunshot wounds to the left side of her face, the back of her head, her left ear and lower jaw, according to the prosecution.
The prosecution further alleges that police recovered several firearms and assorted ammunition during searches conducted after the incident. Court documents state that Israel Kwadwo Safo admitted possessing ammunition but denied committing any offence, telling investigators that he had left the scene before the shooting started.
The case has been adjourned as criminal proceedings continue before the Adenta Circuit Court.
