A Presidential Staffer, Clement Apaak, has described as “historic” the decision by the president and his appointees to take a 10 per cent pay cut on their salaries to bring down the ballooning wage bill.
According to Dr. Apaak, the gesture by the president shows leadership and must be praised rather than being condemned by the minority.
The Finance Minister on Tuesday announced that the president, the vice president, ministers of state and other appointees have voluntarily agreed to take a 10 per cent pay cut effective January 2014.
Mr Seth Terkper further explained on Wednesday that paying the full salaries of the president, his Vice and all his ministers was putting a strain on the national budget.
He added that with the 10% salary reduction for the executive, government would be saving as much as ¢80,000 Ghana cedis monthly – money that would be channeled into saving the lives of women and children.
However, the move announced by the Finance Minister has sparked a wave of condemnation, especially from the opposition who have described it as populist and insignificant.
NPP Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Dr. Mark Asibey Yeboah also in an interview with XYZ News said he will not sacrifice a penny of his salary to the state considering the wastage and corruption in government.
According to him, the decision by the President and his appointees to cut down their salaries will come to naught adding that the best way to bring down the wage bill is to cut down the number of ministers in government.
Speaking to XYZ News, Dr. Clement Apaak stated that he is surprised the decision by the President and his ministers has been met with a lot skepticism and cynicism.
