Assembly members demand salaries

Some Assembly Members have called on the government, to address the numerous challenges they face in their work, and consider paying them salaries.

Speaking on a weekend programme, Ghana Great and Strong, on Internet-based Hedjorleonlineradio in Accra, the Assembly Members intimated that the lack of funds, both for projects and salaries, is stifling their work at the Assemblies across the country.

The programme was hosted by the 2012 Presidential Candidate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom.

“Act 462 Section 5 of [the Constitution] enshrines that the emoluments and salaries for Assembly Members be paid from the resources of the Assembly whilst the same Constitution states that the emoluments and salaries of the President and the Members of Parliament (MPs) be paid from the Consolidated Fund…,” said Hon. Kofi Appiah Kubi, the Assembly Member for Asofan Electoral Area in the Ga West Municipality, Greater Accra Region.

“That is discriminatory,” he added.

Hon. Appiah Kubi could not fathom why the president, MPs and Assembly Members are all elected directly by universal adult suffrage yet the Constitution discriminates against Assembly Members by directing that they cannot be paid from the Consolidated Fund.

“We (Assembly Members) are given GH¢27.00 per session… meanwhile anytime we want to meet our electorate we need money to hire canopies. [We also need money] for other philanthropic gestures the grassroots expect from us,” he lamented.

Also on the programme was the Assembly Member for Sansam Electoral Area in the Ga West Municipality, Greater Accra Region, Hon. Seth Obodai Sai.

He affirmed the call for increment in the emoluments of Assembly Members.

Hon. Sai disclosed that, at the end of every four-year term, each Assembly Member is given GH¢200.

“That amount is an insult,” he affirmed adding that such an amount discourages competent people who want to serve as Assembly Members from even contesting.

Hon. Dadzie did not understand why the president, MPs and even their own colleagues, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) enjoy fat salaries, allowances and ex-gratia benefits, whilst Assembly Members get “nothing.”

“Meanwhile Assembly Members live with the grassroots every day. We even bail some from the police stations and pay their children’s school fees and utility bills,” he said.

Hon. Dadzie was also worried about the lack of cooperation from workers at the Assembly, and also complained about the lack of logistics saying, “The motorbikes we are given come with no fuel allowances.”

He asserted that the MMDCEs who form the majority at the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) do not help fight their cause at meetings.

Hon. Dadzie also took a swipe at the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) for not educating the public about the importance of the work of Assembly Members.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Nduom contended that research has shown that wherever in the world where Assembly Members are respected and valued, there is a massive development.

That, he said, could be replicated in Ghana.