The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) has called on Ghanaians to respect the decision of the first and second ladies to return all monies paid to them in allowances since 2017, following recommendations made by the presidential committee on emoluments for Article 71 office-holders.
Speaking with Nana Yaa Mensah on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (14 July), the Executive Director of GII, Linda Ofori-Kwafo said: “…I had said that their decision to return the money at this particular time was a personal one and we should respect it. And that others who had not made any attempt to send their own is also a personal decision.”
She said Parliament must fast track the processes towards formalising the allowances to presidential spouses to put the issue to rest.
“It is good for us to have broader consultation on the issue to actually analyse the basis for which this recommendation is necessary.
“Secondly, if we agree on doing anything for our first and second ladies, then we should have backing in law, that is the only way some people will not get up arbitrarily in some years to come and raise issue about it the way it has happened,” Ofori-Kwafo said.
Refunding allowances
Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia have refunded all allowances paid to them since 2017 and that neither will they accept any monthly remuneration.
A statement issued on Monday 12 July 2021 by the Office of the First Lady said: “… the public discussion has been laced with some extremely negative opinions, in some cases, which she finds distasteful, seeking to portray her as a venal, self-serving and self-centered woman, who does not care about the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian.
“In view of this, the First Lady, in consultation with the President of the Republic, has decided to refund all monies paid to her as allowances from the date of the President’s assumption of office, ie, from January 2017 to date, amounting to GHC899,097.84.
“The First Lady has also decided not to accept any monies that have been allocated to be paid to her pursuant to the recommendations of the Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee, as approved by Parliament,” said the statement, signed by Korkor Bleboo, director of communications in the Office of the Second Lady.
Fred Dzakpata
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