Akufo-Addo may choose not to pay his wife, second lady if he is of good intentions – Twum-Barimah

Private lawyer Alexander Amoakoh Twum-Barimah says President Nana Akufo-Addo can refuse to sanction a committee recommendation to pay monthly salaries to his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and the vice president’s wife, Samira Bawumia.

Parliament approved in 2019 a recommendation of a five-member committee that was set up in June 2019 by President Akufo-Addo to review the remuneration of Article 71 office holders.

The committee headed by Professor Yaa Ntiamoah-Baidu recommended that the wives of the president and his deputy be paid monthly as ministers.

The rationale for the decision of those appointed by the government angered thousands of Ghanaians, with civil society organizations raising red flags.

Twum-Barimah, a former cop, believes the recommendations are not binding on the president to accept.

Reacting to the question of the Gumbe show hosted by Mugabe Maase on XYZ TV, the lawyer read the constitution, section 71 office holders and explained that presidential wives were not mentioned.

“The benefits of section 71 office holders are intended for elected and appointed officials, there is nowhere in the constitution that the first lady and second lady are mentioned,” he argued.

He wonders why Akufo-Addo agreed to have the recommendation sent to the 7th Parliament.

“A recommendation was made by a commission that the president pay his wife, but the president is not obliged to sanction this opinion,” said lawyer Twum-Barimah.