The Supreme Court of Ghana has reportedly ruled that the spouses of the president of Ghana and his vice: the 1st and 2nd ladies, are not entitled to benefits of Article 71 office holders, including ex-gratia benefits.
According to GHOne TV, the apex court of the land made this declaration during its judgment on suits challenging parliament-approved recommendations by the Prof Yaa Ntiamoah-Baidu-led committee on emoluments for Article 71 officeholders that spouses of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia should receive the same monthly salaries as cabinet ministers.
A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court presided over by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo delivered the judgment in the two separate suits challenging the payment of salaries approved for first and second Ladies.
The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor; MP for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak; and Nii Tackie Commey, a private citizen, in one of the cases, sued the Attorney Gene
ral, asking it reverse the payment of emoluments for 1st and 2nd ladies.
Also, in a separate action, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, filed a similar action against the state.
On December 13, 2023, when the two cases were called separately, the Supreme Court initially fixed February 28, 2024, to deliver judgment but later deferred to April 24, 2024.
This was after the parties – plaintiffs and their lawyers – moved their cases and the same were responded to by the Office of the Attorney General, represented by Deputy Attorney General Diana Asonaba Dapaah.
Source: Ghana Web
