By Ebi Kesiena
The Supreme Court has ruled that Parliament’s approval of paying salaries to the spouses of the President and Vice-President from the consolidated fund is unconstitutional.
In a judgment dated April 24, 2024, the Supreme Court determined that the spouses of the highest officeholders in Ghana are not considered Public Office holders.
The court clarified that the Emolument Committee of Parliament is authorized only to recommend salaries and benefits for public officeholders. This decision comes after the initial recommendations faced criticism and legal challenges.
In 2021, Kwame Baffoe, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, initiated legal action on this matter. Baffoe also sought a declaration from the court that Parliament cannot approve such emoluments without a bill, although the court did not grant this request.
Similarly, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the MP for South Dayi, filed a lawsuit concerning the recommendations made by the Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee on emoluments.
Under Article 71 of the constitution, a committee is tasked with recommending emoluments for Article 71 officeholders during each presidential term. The Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee recommended, among other things, paying the First Lady a salary equivalent to that of a cabinet minister who is an MP while her husband is in office. For the wives of Vice Presidents, the committee suggested a salary equivalent to that of a cabinet minister who is not an MP while her husband holds office.
