The Ghana Parliament has entered a closed-door session to discuss the emoluments for Article 71 officeholders, which include the executive and judiciary branches.
This is part of a constitutional arrangement that governs the salaries, allowances, and benefits for certain public office holders.
Article 71 outlines the framework for determining these emoluments for key officeholders, including the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament, MPs, the Chief Justice, the Justices of the Superior Courts, Ministers, and Members of the Council of State.
These public officers are paid their salaries in arrears based on approvals from a committee. Their salaries are determined by the rates approved at the beginning of their four-year term and finalized at the end of their tenure.
They also receive ex gratia payments upon completion of their service, which are calculated using a specific formula.
The responsibility for approving these benefits is shared between Parliament and the executive branch. Parliament approves emoluments for the executive and judiciary, while the executive approves benefits for MPs, the Speaker, and Deputy Speakers.
This reciprocal arrangement has been criticized as a “scratch my back, I scratch your back” system, where both branches favor each other.
Article 71 has sparked debates over its fairness and transparency. Critics argue that the approval process lacks accountability, especially compared to the limited benefits provided to ordinary public sector workers.
There have been calls for constitutional reforms to review the system and align it with Ghana’s fiscal realities. However, it is uncertain if there is the political will to amend this provision.
Incoming President John Mahama plans to transform Ghana’s economy by scrapping ex-gratia payments to Article 71 officeholders and implementing extensive constitutional, political, and governance reforms to restore confidence and improve citizens’ lives.
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