‘Must Adwoa Safo Die Before Ghana Acts?’ – Afia Schwarzenegger 

Ghanaian media personality and social commentator Afia Schwarzenegger has criticised women’s rights organisations, state institutions and the Ghana Police Service over what she describes as their failure to speak out on the alleged shooting incident involving former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo.

Speaking passionately on the matter, Afia questioned why Adwoa Safo, who reportedly survived an alleged attack in which her younger brother, Israel Nana Kwadwo Akofena, is accused of firing more than 40 rounds of ammunition, has not received widespread public support or strong institutional backing.

She argued that the handling of the case raises serious concerns, particularly the decision to grant Akofena bail despite the severity of the allegations. According to Afia, it is difficult to understand why the accused is free while the complainant is allegedly living in fear and coping with the trauma of the incident.

Drawing comparisons with previous legal cases, Afia cited Ghanaian rapper Medikal, who was remanded into custody after being accused of displaying what authorities believed to be a firearm in a photograph.

She maintained that if Medikal could be remanded over such an offence, it is inconsistent that a suspect accused of discharging multiple rounds of ammunition and whose residence reportedly yielded firearms and several rounds of ammunition during a police search was granted bail.

Afia questioned whether Ghana’s justice system applies the law equally to everyone, asking whether justice changes depending on who is involved.

She further challenged the authorities, wondering if they were waiting for the situation to end in tragedy before taking decisive action.

“Do you want to see Hon. Adwoa Safo die before you act?” she asked.

The outspoken commentator also criticised women’s rights advocates and public institutions for what she described as their silence on the issue.

She specifically questioned the absence of  Deputy Chief of Staff  Nana Oye Lithur, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection—which Adwoa Safo once led—and the Minority Women’s Caucus, saying they have remained quiet despite regularly speaking out on issues affecting women.

Afia also referred to reports that approximately 200 bullet casings were found in Adwoa Safo’s vehicle, insisting that such evidence should have generated stronger public outrage and prompted a more robust response from law enforcement authorities.

According to her, Adwoa Safo has gone through immense hardship while many people have chosen to remain silent as though nothing serious has happened.

She urged Ghanaians not to ignore a situation in which a woman’s life is allegedly at risk and called on the public to demand accountability from the relevant authorities.

Afia concluded by appealing to the Attorney-General to transfer the case from the lower court to a higher court, arguing that such a move would strengthen public confidence in the justice system and help ensure justice is served.

She also called on Ghanaians to stand together in demanding justice for Sarah Adwoa Safo, insisting that the allegations deserve urgent attention from the courts, state institutions and the wider public.