According to a report by Graphic Online, the Supreme Court has ruled that parliament’s approval of salaries and allowances for the wives of the President and Vice-President from the consolidated fund is unconstitutional.
The court, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, stated that the First and Second Ladies of Ghana are not considered Public Office holders.
The Emolument Committee of Parliament is only authorized to recommend salaries and benefits for public office holders.
This decision was made in response to a case brought by Mr. Kwame Baffoe, the Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP.
Mr Baffoe’s request for parliament to not initiate or approve such payments without government legislation was not granted.
A similar case filed by NDC MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor focused on the recommendations of the Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu Committee, with some reliefs dismissed and others granted.
The panel also included Justices Gabriel Pwamang, Avril Lovelace-Johnson, Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Barbara Ackah-Yensu, Samuel Kwame Adibu Asiedu, and Ernest Yao Gaewu.
