The spokesperson for the First lady of the Republic of Ghana, Sheila Sakyi, has disclosed that the First Lady’s peaceful and controversy free nature influenced her current decision to refund her allowance.
Speaking on wether the First Lady would stand on ground regardless of the public complaints and receive the money, Sheila Sakyi stated that the First lady was not going to do that.
“She is not a person who enjoys controversy. She is just a person of peace who doesn’t like to amass fuss. This is creating a lot of fuss and taking away time from the lot we could be doing to help the nation. So, that is where this is coming from. It’s not so much about giving in the rhetoric. She is a mother and as a mother when things are going on around you,;you have to take certain decisions to ensure that things are quieted and everything goes back to how it’s supposed to be.”
Sheila Sakyi
She also stated that Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo took the decision to enable her focus on championing other causes which will help the nation.
“The reason for it is because of the controversies that came about as a result of this. And it’s not so much but it’s just so she can concentrate as;a first lady and champion the well being of women and children in the country.
“You know Rebecca Akufo- Addo, she is not the person that likes controversy or likes to wade in controversy. She’s a good kind hearted woman who is determined to do the very best she can do for Ghana. So, she wants to be able to focus on that.”
Sheila Sakyi
First lady’s decision will not affect work
Sheila Sakyi further averred that the decision the First Lady has taken would not affect her work in any way both locally and internationally. She added that the First Lady regardless of her current stance, is still very committed to work.
Moreover, she assured that more work and activities will be seen from the first lady as time goes on.
Speaking on the emotional response by the First Lady since the spark of the controversies of their emoluments,;the spokesperson disclosed that she has not been saddened by the happenings.
Sheila Sakyi indicated that the First Lady rather being emotional has been one of concerned over the issue and also “just going on with her duties as a First lady.”
Second lady to refund allowances.
Also in this light, the Second Lady of Ghana,;Samira Bawumia, has also announced that she will be refunding her allowances and also declined the new emolument which was approved for them.
She is expected to refund a total of ¢887,482 to the state following this decision.
In a statement coming from her Office,;Mrs Bawumia indicated that she will also;“not accept any monies allocated to her pursuant to the recommendations of the Prof Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu led committee, as approved by Parliament.”
The decision, she said, was in consultation with the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
This also follows a similar one made by the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo who has declined the offer for her to be paid allowances.
