Tarkwa-Nsuaem Member of Parliament (MP), George Mireku Duker has rebuked the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a section of the general public for objecting to the Parliamentary approval of salaries for First and Second Ladies.
There is a bone of contention between the government and the opposition NDC over the payment of salaries to the wives of the President and Vice President.
Some critics have also argued that the decision is a breach of Article 71 of the constitution.
NDC Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam George has also threatened a lawsuit over government decision.
''As far as I am aware there was no arrangement for that, the President's wife and the Vice President's wife are not article 71 holders.
"I am a Member of Parliament, I personally do not subscribe to that, whether it is an NDC President or an NPP President, your wife is not a Public Officer, you wife is your wife. Are we also going to say that the Spouse of the Chief Justice, the spouse of the Speaker must also be paid? Where do we draw the line. Already they get allowances, they get protection from the state at the expense of the taxpayer and I don't have a problem with that...'', he argued.
But to Hon. Mireku Duker, the furore generated by the decision, is "embarrassing" to say the least.
''We need to stop some of these things. It's unnecessary. I'm even embarrassed'', he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh during Friday's ''Kokrokoo'' on Peace FM.
According to him, the First and Second Ladies deserve the allowances.
Hon. Mireku Duker asked Ghanaians if they want to see their First Lady turn to retail business after leaving office.
''Will it be nice for you to spot Mrs. Lordina Mahama sitting in front of somebody's store and selling commodities? What kind of picture will we paint to the outside world? That you will go to Makola and Mrs. Lordina has acquired a store and is engaged in trade for people to belittle her, is that what we want to say?'' he questioned.
''I believe if it happens so, indirectly we will be promoting corruption because if the person will become President and knows that he will face hardships tomorrow, to the extent that his wife will be forced to engage in retail business, he will have second thoughts. He won't sacrifice himself to work for the nation because it means this is not a country that you die for'', he stated.
He further slammed the NDC for fanning the flames.
''Why are we behaving as if we're Saints from Heaven? Please, let us think because NDC, they've had the opportunity to be in government, and what extraordinary did they achieve? It's not like they are coming to do anything new that we don't know already. We know them!'' He fumed.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Please Mr MP make sure your statements are not offensive to the public. Are the first ladies better than the women selling at Makola? Where on earth have you heard a partner gets paid because the other partner is employed to a company.
I do not agree 1st and 2nd ladies salaries but am happy this government has taking the issue to parliament for the public to know. NDC paid allowances and salaries to the 1st and 2nd ladies without the public knowing, now they are the ones throwing stones. Hypocrisy is what is bringing us down. What is not good is not good. am sure everything in their houses are been paid for by the state including dogs so what do they need salary for? But I do not want to hear NDC speaking. I will listen to NDC only when they admit that they have been doing this back door when they were in power so is not good and they wont do it again when they come to power. I am happy Nana Addo did not pay 1st and 2nd Ladies through back door but has tested the law of the land. It is not wrong if they receive allowances but they also participate gender activities, traveling for conferences and so but the economy is hard so is not right time. If you go to Churches, the wife of a pastor is called Osofo Maame , head of women fellowship, hahahahaha.
This guy is an ***barred word***.
What do these leaders do with all the monies given them. there are shoe shine boys who also have family. they try to take of their family with the little income they have. you are an MP, Minister, president and vice taking huge sum every month. cant you take care of your families. what kind of selfishness be this.
Proverbs 17:28
***barred word*** talk. What was the 1st lady doing prior to her husband becoming president or veep. ***barred word***, Makola women pay taxes. 60% of car loan that you looking forward to benefit will paid using taxes that include taxes paid by Makola women.
a disgraceful MP, are the 1st ladies better than people at mokola? the woman at mokola are equally important as any woman please do not insult our mothers
When you come out to defend a policy, seek to add rationality to it but not absurdity or denigrate others to make your point. Such turn to inflame passions and turn the masses against your government, particularly in Ghana. Kindly apologise for this statement as those who sell at Makola and other markets are equally adding value to the economy.
So you also call yourself an MP and want to be called honourable. Boot licking so you can be giving ministerial position.
Was look? What is wrong when Lodina sell at Makola? Is she.more.human than our mothers at the market selling? And he is an MP. No worder we're wher we are now. ***barred word*** to