By Gyagri Fighton Baalaah
Constitution is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
The article 12, clause 2 talks about equality before the law. It says “ Every person in Ghana, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed or gender shall be entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual contained in [ads1]this chapter but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest.”
To my opinion, out of 28 million Ghanaians only few peoples enjoy that article 12 clause 2. Those people enjoy because of article 71. I have a very big problem with that article.
It says, “(1) The salaries and allowances payable, and the facilities and privileges available, to-
(a) the speaker and deputy speakers and members of parliament;
(b) the chief justice and the justices of the superior court of Judicature;
© the Auditor – General, the Chairman And Deputy Chairman Of The Electoral Commission, The Commissioner For Human Rights And Administrative Justice And His Deputies And The District Assemblies Common Fund Administrator;
(d) the Chairman, Vice Chairman and the other members of,
(i) a National Council for Higher Education howsoever describes.
- ii) the Public Services Commission,
iii) the National Media Commission
- iv) the Lands Commission and
- v) the National Commission For Civic Education being expenditure charged on the consolidated fund, shall be determined by the President on the recommendations of a committee of not more than five person appointed by the President acting in accordance with the advice of the council of state.
(2) The salaries and allowances payable, and the facilities available, to the President, the Vice President, the chairman and the other members of the Council of State, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers, being expenditure charged on the consolidated fund, shall be determined by Parliament on the recommendation of the committee referred to in clause (1) of this article.
(3) For the purpose of this article and except as other wise provided constitution “ salaries” includes allowances, facilities and privilege and retiring benefit or awards.”
Our Ghanaian leaders has misuse this article 71, clause 2. From 1992 up to date, these leaders use the article to the disadvantages of the Ghanaian citizen. In Ghana here if, you are not a political leader, you are refereed as “ordinary” Ghanaian. Meaning you can not enjoy all these benefits provided by the constitution.
Sometimes I laugh at the politicians during election year. All that, they will say is give us the mandate or power to serve you. This is totally the opposite; we the citizens are serving them, all in the name of article 71, clause 2. They enjoy themselves and reject the “ordinary “Ghanaians in poverty.
The unfortunate aspect is that, teachers who taught these leaders are not well paid. There is no allowances, facilities as quoted in article 71, clause 2,for teachers. I think teachers gross salary is ten times the gross salary of member of Council of State. But all of us are Ghanaians according to the article 12, clause 2. I ask myself why some Ghanaians are “ordinary” and others are not? I leave the question for Ghanaians to answer.
The current leaders told Ghanaians that, Ghana do not have enough money. They added that, the pervious government has spent all the country’s money. So they are pleading with Ghanaians to give the power to reduce the country’s cost. I am even surprised that, they have even increased the cost. According to the article 71, clause 2, of Ghana’s constitution, there are no cut point of ministers to be appointed by the President. Irrespective of the large number of ministers they still enjoy everything in the article 71, clause 2. The NPP government has appointed 110 minister excluding Council of State members, Chief Justice and Speaker of Parliament.
A developing country like Ghana, a minister takes home GH¢16,423.00, and a deputy minister takers home GH¢ 14,826.00. This is their month salary with allowances and the facilities attached to it. After doing my rough calculations, Ghana pays GH¢182,458,320.00 yearly for only the ministers excluding the President, Vice President, Chief Justice, Speaker of Parliament, Council of State members, member of Parliament, Auditor – General, Electoral Commission Chairman, CHRAJ boss, NCCE boss, NMC boss, Lands Commission boss etc.
This is only the money aspect, what of the other allowances, benefits etc. Is Ghana a poor country or rich country? Our leaders are very greedy and corrupt or are Ghanaians? Is Ghana safe under these leaders? Will future generation be secured? Do our leaders think about their citizens or their own selfish interest?
Long live Ghana!
Long live the writer!
Gyagri Fighton Baalaah
024105236
