The cost incurred by the state in running the offices of the First and Second Ladies must be factored in a future constitutional amendment to give it a legal backing, private legal practitioner, Martin Luther Kpebu, has suggested.
The First and Second Ladies, although not elected officials of the state, according to the lawyer, sometimes supplement the role of their husbands in ruling the state.
He says the spouses of the President and the Vice have run offices on the budget of the State over the years, something that should be legalised if the State wants it continued.
He was speaking on with Alfred Ocansey on the KeyPoints Saturday, April 27, 2024, when he made the statement following a declaration by the Supreme Court that spousal salaries for the President and Vice are unconstitutional.
“Now that we know that as for this constitution we must amend it no matter who comes to power in January 2025, we can look at what we can do to include it so that at least there would be some legality because, practically, they have their own offices; security guards, so many cars, obviously not from their husbands pockets but from the State’s coffers.
“So if we have done this for so long and we think that we should continue and it appears we may have to continue, then let’s do it because they do help their spouses in running the country. It’s a fact whether we like it or not. Because there are certain places if the President doesn’t attend and his wife does, it suffices in a way. I’m not saying everywhere because there are some places if the President doesn’t go and the wife goes, they are happy,” he suggested.
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Ghana’s Supreme Court has ruled that payment of salaries to the First and Second Ladies is unconstitutional.
The decision of the apex court followed a suit by Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe Adjei, popularly known as ‘Abronye’, seeking to reverse the payment of salaries approved for First and Second Ladies.
A five-member committee led by Prof. Ntiamoa-Baidu was set up in June 2019 by President Akufo-Addo to make recommendations to him and Parliament on the salaries and allowances payable, and the facilities and privileges available to Article 71 officeholders.
But following the recommendations, Abronye went to the Supreme Court with the following reliefs:
a. Declaration that the approval by Parliament to pay salaries to the First and Second ladies is inconsistent with ARTICLE 71 CLAUSES 1 AND 2 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and consequently be declared null, void and unenforceable.
b. Declaration that, per Article 71 (1) and (2); the positions of the First and Second ladies of Ghana do not fall under the category of Public Office holders.
c. Declaration that, per Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana; the Emolument Committee is limited to recommending the salaries and other benefits and privileges of only public office holders.
d. Declaration that, per Articles 108 and 178 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana; Parliament cannot, on its own accord, initiate or approve payment of any such emoluments; which would necessarily be paid from public funds; without a bill to that effect emanating from and introduced by the Government and dully passed into law.
My Lords, this statement of case, is filed by the Plaintiff in accordance with Rule 46 of the Supreme Court Rules, 1996 (C.l. 16).
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo who presided over the 7-member panel of Judges however dismissed all but one of the reliefs being sought by South Dayi Member of Parliament, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor whose suit was similar to that of ‘Abronye’.
The court held that Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor focused on the recommendations of the committee whereas Abronye focused on the actions of Parliament.
The court also dismissed the fourth relief sought by the NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe.
Here are the reliefs sought by Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor which were dismissed by the Supreme Court:
1. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Prof. Ntiamoah-Badu Committee appointed by the president of the Republic of Ghana under Article 71(1), only had jurisdiction to make recommendations in respect of salaries, allowances payable, facilities and privileges of Article 71 office holders under the Constitution.
2. A further declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, the Prof Ntiamoah-Badu Committee had no jurisdiction, mandate or authority to make any recommendations in respect of salaries, allowances payable, facilities and privileges of persons other than persons specified under Article 71 of the Constitution.
3. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 71(1) of the 1992 Constitution, the Prof Ntiamoah-Badu Committee exceeded its jurisdiction, mandate and authority when it purported to make recommendations in respect of privileges, facilities, salaries and allowances payable to the 1st and 2nd ladies of Ghana.
4. A further declaration that the recommendations of the Committee, to the extent that it pertains to the 1st and 2nd ladies of the Republic, are null, void and of no effect.
6. An order declaring the recommendations in respect of privileges, facilities, salaries and allowances payable to the 1st and 2nd ladies of the Republic as unconstitutional and void.
7. An order restraining the President of the Republic or any other arm, ministry, department, or agency of the executive from implementing any recommendations of the Prof Ntiamoah Committee which pertains to the 1st and 2nd Ladies of the Republic.
Other justices on the panel were Justice Gabriel Pwamang, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, Justice Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Justice Barbara Ackah-Yensu, Justice Samuel Asiedu and Ernest Gaewu.
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