Your wife’s allowance is not paid with grass …CVM jabs Mahama over spousal salary

“It is surprising that former President John Mahama has come out to publicly say he is against the payment of the spouses of Presidents and Vice Presidents when he himself has his wife as a beneficiary of such payments over the years”, founder and leader of political pressure group, the Concerned Voter’s Movement (CVM) Razak Kojo Opoku has said.

He continued: “whether allowance, support, stipends, token, wages or salary, none of it is paid with grass because it is the same tax payer’s money that is used  in making such payments to the wives of Ghana’s first and second gentlemen including the wife of ex Presient John Mahama so it is hypocritical for him to make it seem as if such payments are new and it is the Nana Addo government that is trying to introduce it.

“The debate helps build our democracy but we have to be honest about it. During John Mahama’s time as President, it was his Office that was wan charge of such payments including the provision of security, transportation, office logistics, accommodating of guests and other administrative support all  at the expense of the ordinary Ghanaian. He should not pretend his own wife has not been a beneficiary and turn round to say he disagrees with such payments then he uses semantics to play propaganda as if what his wife benefits from is not paid with money”, Razak Opoku added.

He said there are documents to show during the time when Jerry John Rawlings of blessed memory, was President of Ghana, the then Chief of Staff, Nana Ato Dadzie had written letters to the spouses of Ghana’s past presidents and vice presidents directing them to submit their bank details to his office for such payments to begin and the convention has continued till date.

“The payment of monies to spouses was continued by Presient Kufuor but it was more of a convention rather than something that is backed by any legislative act. If it is not regularized by some law, someone can come tomorrow and say this particular first lady or that particular second lady does not deserve it.

“The payment has gone on as an administrative arrangement over the years and whether stipends, allowance or salary, none is paid with grass. All are paid with the same money so let us be honest and fair in debating this issue in its totality rather than skew it to a political discussion targeted against the current President”, Mr. Opoku added.

Last week, the CVM leader issued as statement that argued that considering the monumental responsibilities and tasks undertaken by the First and Second Ladies in support of the Government, clearly, it can be perfectly argued and established that, indeed, r First and Second Ladies deserve some form of benefits from the State.

The statement noted: “we all appreciate the immense role of the 31st December Women’s Movement under the leadership of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. Through that movement, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was able to support her husband former President Jerry John Rawlings’ regime in critical areas of the economy.

“Through the 31st December Women’s Movement hundreds of women were empowered economically and socially through acquiring skillful employment and entrepreneurship. She established hundreds of pre-schools through which underprivileged women enrolled their wards.

“Our current First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo has contributed extremely well, especially in the health sector through her foundation – Rebecca Foundation.  She did it for Mother and Baby Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). She did it for the 41-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to provide quality and adequate health care to children.

“Similar contributions had been made from others such as Lordina Foundation, Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects etc. The individual First and Second Ladies over the years have significantly contributed to the governance and socioeconomic development of Ghana without any official budget allocations from the Government. “

The statement made a suggestion on how the challenge should be handled: “the discussion around the subject, whether or not First and Second Ladies deserve salaries is very healthy for our evolving multi-party democracy.

“I think that the government should continue to encourage discussions on the payment of salaries for First and Second Ladies. Government should further engage Ghanaians, political parties, CSOs and critical stakeholders on the way forward.

“Government should also have to find out globally if that is the standard and best practices to pay salaries to First and Second Ladies.

“In my candid opinion, First and Second Ladies deserve benefits not necessarily terming it as salary. If Ghanaians are not comfortable with the word “salary”, the government should amend it to a word acceptable to Ghanaians for national cohesion.

“I think that the government should present an official Bill (1st & 2nd Ladies Salaries Bill) to Parliament for deliberations, consensus building and subsequent approval.

“Through the Bill, we would be able to fine tune the proposal and get the necessary backing from Ghanaians. We will be able to also outline in detail the job description, roles and responsibilities of First and Second Ladies under the 4th Republican Constitution.”