Former Presidential Legal Adviser Kow Essuman has criticized the Mahama administration for selective payment of salaries and allowances. He stated that the government has paid its own members through the Article 71 remuneration structure. However, it has neglected to pay former officials and staff of the Akufo-Addo administration their entitled arrears.
Mr. Essuman alleged that current executive members are benefiting from a salary regime approved by Parliament in January 2025. He noted that officials who served under former President Akufo-Addo still await arrears from the same arrangement. This disparity raises serious concerns regarding equitable public fund management and fairness, according to Essuman.
This situation unfolds within a broader context of public sector compensation management in Ghana. Article 71 office holders include the President, Vice President, Members of Parliament, and others. Their emoluments are determined by a committee appointed by the President every four years. Disputes over these payments often lead to debates about the national wage bill and fiscal responsibility. Ghana's public wage bill has been a persistent challenge, consuming a significant portion of government revenue.
“The approval of 6 January 2025 has resulted in President Mahama’s government paying itself under that very structure, while simultaneously refusing and neglecting to pay the arrears lawfully due to the officials and staff who served under President Akufo-Addo,” Mr. Essuman wrote. He views this not as an accidental oversight. Instead, he describes it as a deliberate and politically motivated misuse of public funds.
This accusation will likely intensify scrutiny on the government's fiscal management practices. It could also fuel political debate ahead of upcoming elections. Decision-makers will face pressure to address these allegations of discriminatory payments promptly. Public fund management remains a sensitive issue, with implications for economic stability and public trust.
The alleged delay in payments could also affect the morale of public servants. It highlights potential gaps in the transition process between administrations. All eyes will be on how the Mahama administration responds to these claims. Transparency in public financial disbursements will be crucial to maintaining public confidence.
The issue touches upon the consistent challenge of managing Ghana's public finances effectively. Recent data shows Ghana recorded its weakest Q1 budget execution since 2017. This underscores the pressures on the national treasury. The alleged selective payments, if true, could exacerbate public distrust in government financial accountability.
A fair and consistent approach to public sector compensation is vital for good governance. This situation could prompt calls for greater oversight of how Article 71 emoluments are processed. It will be important to monitor any official responses or investigations into Essuman's claims. The economic implications of such alleged practices could be significant if they undermine fiscal discipline.