Second Lady is currently a trending topic on social media as the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo has decided to return all allowances paid to her by the state since 2017 following the massive public backlash.
Many Ghanaians have lauded her for showing that she;has the qualities of a good leader who listens to her people. According to them if she is really going to do;as she is suggesting, then it’s an honorable thing to do.
Meanwhile, some are questioning if the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, is;also going to do the same and follow in the footsteps of Rebecca Akufo-Addo. They explained that they haven’t seen any statement from;her yet and questioned if she has decided to keep the money instead.
Well, some are also of the view that if the First Lady has agreed to give back;the money, then the past First ladies must emulate her and return the allowances they received.
That notwithstanding, some who were not entirely happy about this development;intimated that the First and Second lady deserve the allowance. According to them, it is their right to have that money and besides, they serve the country.
Nonetheless, others questioned if the First Lady will indeed refund the money. They were of the view that this shouldn’t just be the end as they demand that she should show receipts which will prove that she has indeed refunded the money.
First Lady says no to presidential spousal allowance
Mrs. Akufo-Addo served a notice that she is returning to the government some 899, 097.84 Ghana cedis paid to her as allowances since 2017 after a public hue and cry over a decision to pay her and the second lady, Samira Bawumia, monthly salaries.
In a statement signed by the Director of Communications at the Office of the First Lady on Monday, July 12, Madam Akufo-Addo noted that she did not request to be paid any allowance and that “She only received that which existed and attached to her status, albeit informally”.
“In view of this, the First Lady, in consultation with the President of the Republic, has decided to refund all monies paid to her as allowances from the date of the President’s assumption of office, i.e., from January 2017 to date, amounting to GHC899,097.84”.
The statement further noted that “The First Lady has also decided not to accept any monies that have been allocated to be paid to her pursuant to the recommendations of the Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee, as approved by Parliament”.
The decision to put the two spouses on government’s payroll was based on a recommendation made by the Presidential Committee on emoluments for Article 71 officeholders.
The matter which became public last week has resulted to criticism of the Akufo-Addo administration.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC), also kicked against the recommendation for wives of Presidents and Vice Presidents to be paid monthly salaries. The group insisted that the spouses have not been assigned any specific roles in the constitution and “therefore, they are not qualified to receive salaries from the public purse”.
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