Think about Article 71 promise, we’ll hold you to your words – John Kwakye warns Mahama
Former President John Mahama’s promise to review Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana if he is given the mandate to rule Ghana again has been welcomed by Dr John Kwakye, Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs.
All the three arms of government; the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary remunerations and allowances are determined by Article 71 (1) and (2) of the 1992 constitution which mandates that the salaries be drawn from the Consolidated Fund based on the president’s decision with a recommendation by a committee consisting of not more than five persons selected by the president based on the advice from the Council of State.
The controversy of this article was rekindled following President Mahama’s claim that he was only paid GHS230,000 in arrears and rubbished claims of receiving GHS14 million as exgratia.
Mr Mahama said “The only payment that was made to me by the government, Accountant General, was my salary arrears of 230,000 cedis in 2013. I will show it [bank statement] to you first, and later if you want we can call a group of you journalists. Of course, I don’t want to publish my bank statement but I can put it before you and you can look through all the payments and see if there is a 14 million cedis payment. I didn’t receive any such payment.”
He then promised that when he is given the opportunity again to assume the highest office of the land, Article 71 will be reviewed.
Mr John Kwakye who has always found a problem with the article found the former president’s assurance welcoming and tweeted saying, “Article 71 is a financial nuisance for the state. Why should First Ladies–present and retired–be paid salaries and other benefits?”
He argued that the First Lady of the United States is not paid because she does not hold an elective office.
Mr Kwakye urged Ghanaians to hold the former president to his word on promising to review Article 71 if he[Mahama] wins election 2024 to become president again.
He said, “If former President Mahama says he would repeal Article 71 if he comes to power, we should support him and hold him to his word”.
“Article 71 is an albatross around the country’s neck. It is a financial killer for the country. Why should former First Ladies be paid salaries and other benefits?”
