Salary Saga: It’s unlawful agenda to sneak Rebecca & Samira into Article 71 office- Mahama

Former President John Mahama has taken a swipe at President Akufo-Addo And Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia over emoluments for presidential spouses matter, accusing government’s machinery of inordinate agenda of smuggling their better-halves into Article 71 office.

Parliament approved payments for presidential spouses-Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia from 2017 equal to that salary and allowances of a cabinet minister after Ntiamoah Committee presented recommendations to the legislature.

The approval has received a backlash from many who argued that the development is illegal and will cripple the public and put intense pressure on the national kitty.

They include Executive Director of CDD-Ghana Prof. H. Kwesi Prempeh, Lawyer Edudzi Tameklo, Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobbey, NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC), South Day MP Lawyer Rockson Nelson Dafeamakpor, Builsa South MP Dr. Clement Apaak and a Civil Society Organisaion ASEPA by Mensah Thompson who have already filed three separate legal actions at the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the said approval.

According to Ex-President Mahama, the recommendation by Ntiamoah Committee to solely pay Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia without a legal basis is problematic and unconstitutional.

In a sharp reaction, President Mahama said “the move was designed solely in respect of Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia but are not captured under Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution”.

Mahama noted that “it is an attempt to sneak Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia into Article 71 office holders group”.

Source : africaneditors.com