First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and Second Lady, Samira Bawumia have both declined a proposal to formally pay them salaries in accordance with the recommendations of a presidential committee on emoluments.
According to multiple sources, following public discourse on the recommendation made by the Presidential committee on emoluments for Article 71 office holders (January 2017 to December 2020), for the First and Second Ladies to be paid allowance as part of the benefits of the President and Vice President, the sitting First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and Second Lady, Samira Bawumia, have decided to decline the offer.
It has also been revealed that the presidential spouses who have communicated their decision to the presidency cited two major reasons for their stance on the matter.
That they had been carrying out duties related to their respective offices prior to the recommendation without any established remuneration, as well as out of respect for the public outcry and outrage that the development had generated.
Another source stated that the two ladies have stated that they are unrelated to the decisions made by the Prof Yaa Ntiamoah-Baidu committee appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo.
The source stressed that the two spouses, however, recognise that the payments, approved by Parliament, are for the office they hold, and, as such, they are not, therefore, challenging the decision. However, as individuals, they are exercising their rights not to accept the controversial payments.
It also underlines the respect they have for public opinion on the use of the public purse, another source added.
