ASEPA sues gov’t over salaries for First, Second ladies

ASEPA Executive Director Mensah Thompson

The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) on Friday, July 9, 2021, filed a suit invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court against the Prof. Yaa Ntiamoah Baidoo Committee's recommendations to pay salaries to the first and second ladies.

This comes after Parliament approved recommendations of the Prof Yaa Ntiamoah-Baidu-led Committee on emoluments for Article 71 officeholders for which spouses of President Akufo Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will receive the same monthly salaries as Cabinet Ministers.

The anti-corruption advocacy group in its suit today wants an order from the Supreme Court to restrain Government from making any payments whatsoever in the form of salaries or allowances to the first and second ladies.

In a statement signed by ASEPA’s Executive Director Mensah Thompson, it says until the Constitution is duly amended and provisions made for the first and second ladies under the law, they should not receive salaries or allowances.

Also, MP for South Dayi Rockson Dafeamekpor and Builsa South MP Clement Apaak have all sued the Attorney General to reverse the payment of emoluments for First and Second Ladies.

Find below a press release from ASEMPA on its suit:

ASEPA SUES GOVERNMENT OVER SALARIES FOR FIRST/SECOND LADIES

ASEPA has today filed an action at the Supreme Court of Ghana invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court on the Prof. Yaa Ntiamoah Baidoo Committee's recommendations to pay salaries to first and second ladies.

Among other things, ASEPA is requesting the Supreme Court to make a declaration that the Prof. Ntiamoah Baidoo Committee did not have the capacity to make recommendations for persons outside Article 71.

ASEPA is also asking the Supreme Court to make a declaration that the current allowances paid to first and second ladies out of State benevolence is also unlawful.

ASEPA wants an order from the Supreme Court to restrain Government from making any payments whatsoever in the form of SALARIES or ALLOWANCES to the first and second ladies until such a time when the Constitution is duly amended and provisions made for the first/second ladies under the law.

Mensah Thompson

Executive Director,ASEPA

0542120628