Omanghana
The Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed allegations that the current administration has increased staff salaries at the Presidency, insisting that the remuneration framework currently in place was inherited from the previous government.
The minister sought to address growing public concerns over the Presidency’s compensation bill, emphasizing that no changes have been made to the salary structure since President John Dramani Mahama assumed office.
No Unilateral Salary Reviews
According to Kwakye Ofosu, Ghana’s constitutional provisions do not permit the President to unilaterally review or alter the salaries of Article 71 office holders. He stressed that such remuneration is governed by established legal and constitutional processes rather than executive discretion.
He further clarified that President Mahama has not constituted any new emoluments committee to revise salaries, allowances, or benefits for presidential staff or other affected office holders.
Existing Pay Structure Inherited
The minister maintained that the financial packages currently enjoyed by staff at the Presidency are the same as those approved under the previous administration. He rejected suggestions that the government had introduced enhanced benefits or increased compensation for political appointees.
GH¢2.7 Billion Allocation Explained
Addressing concerns over the Presidency’s budget, Kwakye Ofosu explained that the widely discussed GH¢2.7 billion allocation is largely dedicated to the payment of salaries for civil servants.
He noted that these employees became part of the Office of Government Machinery following the restructuring and consolidation of several ministries and agencies, meaning the expenditure reflects standard public sector payroll obligations rather than discretionary spending on political officials.
Presidency Workforce Reduced
The minister also highlighted that the current administration has reduced the size of its workforce compared to its predecessor.
He disclosed that the Presidency now employs a total of 808 staff members, comprising 233 political appointees and 575 civil servants. This represents a reduction from the 953 personnel who served under the previous administration.
Kwakye Ofosu said the reduction demonstrates the government’s commitment to streamlining operations while maintaining the continuity of essential public service functions.
Source: Omanghana
