The Bono Regional chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Kwame Baffoe Abronye, popularly known as Abronye DC, has sued the government over moves to start paying the First and Second Ladies salaries.
Two other opposition MPs – Rockson Dafeamakpor (South Dayi constituency) and Clement Apaak (Builsa South) – and a Ghanaian citizen Frederick Nii Commey have also filed a suit at the Supreme Court in connection with the same issue.
On his part, Abronye DC prayed the apex court to rule that the decision is “null and void”.
“A declaration that the approval by Parliament to pay salaries to the First and Second Ladies is inconsistent with Article 71 clauses 1 and 2 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana and consequently be declared null, void, and unenforceable.”
“A declaration that, per article 71 (1) and (2), the position of the First and Second Ladies of Ghana do not fall under the category of public officeholders.”
On their parts, the two opposition MPs are seeking the following reliefs:
First, a declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee appointed by the President under Article 71(1), only had jurisdiction to make recommendations in respect of salaries, allowances payable, facilities and privileges of Article 71 office holders under the 1992 Constitution.
2. A further declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Prof Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee had no jurisdiction, mandate or authority to make any recommendations in respect of salaries, allowances payable, facilities and privileges of persons other than persons specified under Article 71 of 1992 Constitution.
3. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution, the Prof Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee exceeded its jurisdiction, mandate and authority when it purported to make recommendations in respect of privileges, facilities, salaries and allowances payable to the 1ST and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana.
4. A further declaration that the recommendations of the Committee, to the extent that it pertains to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana, are null, void and of no effect.
5. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of the Constitution, 1992, spouses of the President and the Vice President are not Article 71 office holders for the purposes of receipt of wages and emoluments.
6. An order declaring the recommendations in respect of privileges, facilities, salaries and allowances payable to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana as unconstitutional and void.
7. An order restraining the President of the Republic of Ghana or any other arm, ministry, department or agency of the executive, from implementing any recommendations of the Prof Ntiamoah-Baidu Committee which pertains to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic of Ghana.
8. Any further Order(s) or direction(s) as this Honourable Court may deem necessary.
Lawyers of the applicants are at the registry of the Supreme Court to file the action.
A five-member emolument committee which was set up in June 2019 by President Nana Akufo-Addo among other things recommended the said allowance.
Source: Daily Mail GH