Executive Director for Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Mrs. Linda Ofori-Kwafo has suggested that a broader stakeholder conversation be held with regards to the emoluments for the first and second ladies.
Speaking on the move which received huge public backlash, she averred that there is the need for the conversation because of the public’s interest in the issue.
“The discussion in the public domain shows you how interested the ordinary Ghanaian is interested in such matters and for that matter there is the need for us to have a broader stakeholder consultation on these issues.
“Obviously, the constitution and Article 71 Act 993 has made a provision that a committee of that sort should be established to advise the President when it comes to salaries and allowances for certain categories of people. And so, if by doing that they felt the need to do this kind of arrangement and it has received this kind of backlash, I think it’s only proper that the issue is tabled and had a broader conversation.”
Linda Ofori-Kwafo
Engagement, to inform public
Touching on her basis for such a suggestion, Mrs. Ofori-Kwafo said this will help the people to know the basis of the payment of the emoluments. She added that this will also enable the people know what goes into the basic recommendation of such emoluments.
“I am sure a lot of things might have gone into the process bearing in mind that this process did not start just now but has been in the process for sometime now. That it’s just a matter of trying to regularize it and making it appropriate or have some sort of backing in a way of a law or a policy.
“I think because it has been on the drawing board for some time, some considerations have been made but have not been communicated very well. So, we should have other conversations on this matter.”
Don’t keep using previous conventional means
Speaking on the basic principles of formalizing the arrangement as a frame work which should be looked into or for the nation to remain in the previous conventional arrangement, Mrs. Ofori-Kwafo asked for the nation not to keep using previous conventional arrangement for the payment of the first and second ladies.
“Why do you want to stay with a conventional arrangement if it does not have any kind of backing with law. The point is, we are in an era where we believe in transparency and accountability. Because our democracy is advancing, we need to know some of these things. Me, for instance, I didn’t know. Being a believer in the rule of laws and policies, there is the need for this formalization in order to help advance our democracy. It is only good that when something is done, which does not have any backing in law, it is only proper that we will have a basis of grounds for it in law.”
Linda Ofori-Kwafo
She further said she could not disclose her stance for whether it should be formalized because she has not interrogated the reason for which it was started.
