You’ve displayed “politically fine conscience” – Prof. Gyampo to First Lady

• Posted on July 13, 2021July 13, 2021
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The associate professor at the University of Ghana has commended the First Lady for taking a bold decision to refund the allowances paid to her since 2017 following the huge public backlash.

Prof. Ransford Gyampo, an associate professor at the University of Ghana has commended the First Lady over her decision to refund all monies paid to her in allowances since 2017, in line with recommendations made by the presidential committee on emoluments for Article 71 office-holders.

Rebecca Akufo-Addo’s decision is coming on the back of huge public outcry over the government’s move to put her and the Second Lady on monthly remuneration.

“I won’t say you have succumbed to the legitimately expressed venomous pressure against the recommendation to regularise your allowances into salary.

“Rather, I will say, you have simply displayed some politically fine principles and conscience that do not come cheap. Well-done. Others must follow,” Prof Gyampo posted on Facebook.

He has therefore called on MPs to ensure they refund all illegal ex-gratias paid to them to restore their credibility.

“Let MPs who have never been voted out of Parliament, also refund all illegal ex-gratias paid them as a way of helping to restore their credibility and legitimacy deficit within the Ghanaian body politic.”

Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia have both said they are refunding all allowances paid to them since 2017 and will also not accept any monthly remuneration.

In a statement issued on Monday 12 July 2021, the Office of the First Lady said: “… the public discussion has been laced with some extremely negative opinions, in some cases, which she finds distasteful, seeking to portray her as a venal, self-serving and self-centered woman, who does not care about the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian.

“In view of this, the First Lady, in consultation with the President of the Republic, has decided to refund all monies paid to her as allowances from the date of the President’s assumption of office, ie, from January 2017 to date, amounting to GHC899,097.84.

“The First Lady has also decided not to accept any monies that have been allocated to be paid to her pursuant to the recommendations of the Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee, as approved by Parliament,” the statement signed by Korkor Bleboo, director of communications in the Office of the Second Lady, said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bawumia is set to refund a total amount of eight hundred and eighty-seven thousand, four hundred and eighty-two (GHC 887,482) she has thus far received as allowances from January 2017 to March 2021.

By: Fred Dzakpata