Vice-Chairman of Parliament's Finance Committee, Patrick Yaw Boamah has defended the House's decision to approve payment of emoluments to the spouses of the President and Vice President.

According to him, the First and Second Ladies all contribute their quota to the development of the country and also support their husbands to achieve the ambitions set for the nation.

Mr. Boamah said after seeing the figures of the supposed emoluments, he is of the view that the amount to be paid is nothing “extraordinary”.

The Okaikwei Central legislator said: “It is not a big deal. I am looking at it from what they bring in return to the country. The value they bring in return to the country, so we shouldn't look at the small perks that they get.

“They all contribute their quota to the development of this country. Can you imagine having a wife as President and she not being able to support you to achieve a certain aspect of your vision for the nation? Sometimes, we always look at the monetary aspect and not look at the contribution that they bring to the table. Mrs. Akufo-Addo is doing a lot at Korle-Bu. Everybody is happy about it. Mrs. Bawumia is also doing something very good around the country. Mrs. Kufour did the mother and child foundation,” he stressed.

Parliament in January 2021, approved the Prof. Baidu Ntiamoah Committee's report recommending emoluments for the executive, judiciary, and legislature. The committee's report also made provisions for the spouses of the president and vice president.

The move to formalise the payment of salaries to the First lady and Second lady gained massive attention on social media with many against the idea.

However, the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, explained that the payment of allowances to spouses of Presidents and Vice Presidents is not a new phenomenon.

He stated that the payment was instituted under the Kufuor administration, but was only being formalised by the current government.

Mr. Oppong Nkrumah further dismissed claims that President Akufo-Addo was the one who approved salaries and benefits for the First Lady and the Second Lady.

He added that there had been an increment in allowances for the spouses and was approved by the 7th Parliament.

Meanwhile, Mr. Boamah believes it is unfair to look only at the monetary aspect and not the contributions the ladies bring to the country. 

“Sometimes, various non-governmental organisations are able to channel some supplies through their [First and Second Ladies] organisations. When it comes to Ghanaians, you never know which member of your family has benefitted from some of their initiatives.”

However, NDC MP for South Dayi, Rockson Dafiamekpor says the approval of such a directive is illegal.

He revealed that the minority side objected during the approval of the allowances but the majority used its numbers to approve it.

He stated that he will file a suit at the Supreme Court to challenge the president's decision to implement the recommendation.