Abronye’s Presidential spouse salary case: Supreme Court adjourns to November 9 for judgment
The applicant is seeking a declaration that the decision to pay emoluments to spouses of the President and Vice-president is inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution and that, same must be declared null and void.
The Supreme Court has adjourned to November 9, 2022, to give judgment in the suit by Bono Regional Chairman of the NPP, Kwame Baffoe Abronye, in which he is challenging the decision to pay salaries to the First and Second Ladies.
The Court had earlier set today, June 29, 2022, to give its judgment in the matter.
But Justice Jones Dotse, president of the panel noted that the court had to adjourn the matter because the panel was not properly constituted.
The applicant is seeking a declaration that the decision to pay emoluments to spouses of the President and Vice-President is inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution and that, same must be declared null and void.
Background
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.
They were charged to make recommendations in respect of emoluments and other privileges for Article 71 officeholders, as specified under the Constitution; and also to examine any other relevant matter which the committee deemed appropriate to its work.
However, in his writ filed in July 2021, the Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Chairman Abronye is praying the Highest Court of the Land to declare among others 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’’.
2. 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.
3. Furthermore that per Article 71 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic; the Emolument committee is limited to recommending the salaries and other benefits and privileges of only public officeholders.
