The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called on President Akufo-Addo to refund payment made to both his spouse and the wife of the Vice-president.

It further demanded for the halt ofpayment of salaries to both spouses. According to the Union, the “ongoing passionate debate” indicates clearly that the issue is very important to Ghanaians.

Contained in a statement signed by the secretary general of the Union, Dr Yaw Baah, it explained that, the President shouldn’t approve “until they are officially assigned duties and responsibilities”.

“We would like to advise President Akufo-Addo to use all the powers accorded him by the Constitution of Ghana, first, to stop the payment of the salaries to his wife and the wife of the Vice President immediately.

“The President should also ensure that all such payments made to his wife and the wife of Vice President are refunded immediately”.

Additionally, the Union noted that when the spouses of Presidents and Vice-Presidents are assigned official duties, “that will qualify them to receive salaries from tax payers’ money”

It further revealed that the Executive should “remember the spouses of the Speakers of Parliament and the spouses of Chief Justices” can also perform some official duties.

That notwithstanding, it concerted that salaries of some presidential staffers receive emoluments that are at the same level as ministers or “even higher”. This, is in accordance with Presidential Office Act, 1993(Act 463), Legal Service Act and other acts.

Constitution on emolument payment

The Union explained that the duties and responsibilities of Article 71 office holders including presidential staffers, “are clear”.

“The spouses of Presidents and Vice Presidents have not been officially assigned any such duties and responsibilities. Therefore, they are not qualified to receive salaries from the public purse. Ghanaians appreciate what the first and second ladies are doing to support women’s rights, child rights, and other noble initiatives towards social and economic development of our country.

“But neither the Constitution of Ghana nor the laws of land assign them any official duties and responsibilities”.

Following this, the Trades Union Congress does not support the payment of salaries to the spouses of Presidents and vice Presidents. Standing by its position, the Union fails to budge “even if the Ntiamoa-Baidu’s Committee recommended the payment of such salaries”.

According to the Union, it is not right for anyone who hasn’t been officially assigned duties to receive monthly salaries.

“The Committee probably sought to regularize the payment of allowances which were being paid already. But you cannot regularize the payment of allowances which has no legal basis”.

Establish committee on salaries

Furthermore, the Union advised the President to initiate a process towards the establishment of a Committee to advise government on salaries. This, it explained, will ensure fairness to “all jobholders in the entire public service”.

TUC further revealed that under no circumstance should sections of the public service receive unfair advantage over others.

“The current system appears to favour politicians at the expense of other jobholders in the larger public service in terms of salaries, allowances and other job-related privileges. The wrongs that have been perpetuated over nearly past three decades at the blind side of taxpayers must stop now”.