Inside Akufo Addo’s Lavish Benefits That His Emoluments Committee Splashed On Him

The Emoluments Committee that President Akufo-Addo set up to devise new conditions of service for himself and other Article 71 officeholders splashed and exceedingly lavish spoils of office on him, Whatsup News can report.

While the Akufo Addo administration saddle Ghanaians with austerity measures and pleas for them to “tighten their belts” over economic hardships, the conditions of service that the Ntiamoah-Baidu Committee bestows on President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia is akin to Arabian Sheiks.

The slew of benefits include a yearly traveling allowance of US$50,000 for the President when he leaves office. And this is supposed to be different from his vacationing benefits, and also, quite apart from the monthly salary of almost Ghc50, 000 that he will retire on.

And then there is a fleet of cars, chauffeur-driven, first-class plane tickets for whenever he travels and 5-Star hotels for his nestling pleasure and that of his entourage.

Also, the Committee is recommending that his wife, the First Lady be put on a salary equivalent to what a Cabinet Minister takes.

In the details of the recommendations which Whatsup News has seen, the Committee fattens just about every benefit that comes with the Offices of President and Vice President while they are in office and creates new benefits to boot. 

While in office, the Committee recommends that in addition to first-class accommodation, free utilities and adequate State security, the President should be allocated, “Adequate and appropriate fleet of vehicles…to be fully maintained, comprehensively insured, fueled and chauffeur-driven.”

It recommends that there should be presidential lodges in other parts of the country for presidential tours and working retreats. He should also be allowed to vacation wherever he pleases and allowed free medical and dental services including comprehensive health insurance for him, his spouse and children under 18 years of age.

Then when he finishes his term and leaves office, it is recommended that “the state provides fully furnished office with up-to-date communication equipment and staff not exceeding four. The office will only revert to the State upon the demise of the former President.

Pending the provision of the residence for the former President, the State will pay 40% of his/her monthly salary for accommodation. Two security persons are to be chosen by the former President from State security to provide 24-hour security at the residence. With additional two security persons and two dispatch riders to accompany the former President when he travels in-country

“Two vehicles, chauffeur-driven, maintained and comprehensively insured by the State, two additional vehicles and dispatch motorcycles for travel in-country, fleet to be changed every four years for life” the Committee recommended.

Also, his official travel-related delegated national assignment shall be fully covered by the State, 1st class air ticket, 5-star hotel and all protocols shall be extended to him/her with his travel vacations with his spouse and up to two security persons fully paid for by the State.

It adds, “Maximum annual budget for vacation travels not exceeding US$50,000; Maximum number of trips per year; two maximum vacation period paid for shall not exceed 21 days cumulatively.”

For his pension, he will retire on his salary which is pegged at Ghc47, 273 a month. He will also be paid gratuity which will be 4months’ salary for each year served and his utilities at the residence paid by the State as long as the former President is alive. While alive he and his wife will enjoy free medical and dental services with comprehensive insurance.

And when he dies as former President, his gratuity will be computed according to a formula provided for former Presidents and paid to his next of kin. 

Also, while out of office his spouse will be paid a salary equivalent to 80% of the salary of a Minister of State MP if he served one full term as President or 100% of the salary of Minister of State MP if the spouse served two or more full terms as President.

There is a similar slew of benefits that have been recommended for Vice President Bawumia (coming up).