The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has indicated she is giving back to the government a whopping GHC899, 000 paid to her as allowances since 2017 following public uproar over a decision to pay her and the second lady, Samira Bawumia, monthly salaries.
The Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu committee on emoluments for Article 71 officeholders (January 2017 to December 2020) recommended that the two leading ladies of the land be put on the government’s payroll.
“…The public discussion has been laced with some extremely negative opinions, in some cases, which she finds distasteful, seeking to portray her as venal, self-serving and self-centered woman, who does not care about the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian,” a statement from the Office of the First Lady on Monday (12 July) said.
“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, i.e., 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 added.
Read full statement below: