Former Attorney-General Betty Mould-Iddrisu has joined the debate on the payment of salaries to the First and Second Ladies in Ghana.
She has called for a review of the Supreme Court’s judgment, stating that the work done by these officials is significant and they lack the necessary resources to fund their activities.
Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues, Betty Mould-Iddrisu expressed her belief that the roles of the First and Second Ladies carry a heavy workload that warrants financial support. She emphasized the need to reconsider the decision to withhold their salaries.
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the payment of salaries to the First and Second Ladies is unconstitutional. This ruling came as a result of a lawsuit filed by Kwame Baffoe, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), challenging the approval for the salaries.
A committee led by Prof Ntiamoa-Baidu was established by President Akufo-Addo in 2019 to make recommendations to Parliament on the salaries and allowances for Article 71 officeholders. However, the Supreme Court’s decision has sparked a debate on the interpretation of the constitution regarding the roles and entitlements of the First and Second Ladies.
While some believe that the payment of salaries to the presidential spouses is justified, others argue that it goes against the constitution. The court dismissed several reliefs sought by different individuals, including Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who challenged the jurisdiction of the committee in making recommendations regarding the salaries of the First and Second Ladies.
