Payment of salaries to First and Second ladies unconstitutional – Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has ruled that paying salaries to the first and second ladies is unconstitutional.

The panel of seven presided over by Chief Justice (CJ) Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, said the action challenging Parliament approved recommendations of the Prof Yaa Ntiamoah-Baidu-led Committee on emoluments for Article 71 office holders is inconsistent with provisions in the Constitution.

The judgment of the highest court of the land followed a suit filed by the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Kwame Baffoe Abronye and Member of Parliament for South Dayi Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor on July 8, 2021.

The suits followed controversies that emerged as a result of recommendations by the presidential emolument committee for spouses of the president and Vice President to be paid wages and emoluments.

Mr. Dafeamekpor in his suit among other things prayed the court to declare that the emoluments committee had no power to make recommendations nor make approval in respect of salaries or emoluments to the First and Second Ladies while Mr. Abronye on the other hand prayed the court to declare parliament’s approval of salaries to the first and second ladies as inconsistent with Article 71 of the 1992 constitution.

In Court on Wednesday April 24, 2024, the apex court in unanimous decisions upheld reliefs that sought to declare as unconstitutional approvals and subsequent payment of Salaries and emoluments to the First and Second Ladies.

Source: Myrepubliconline