Akufo-Addo appointees owed GH¢156m in salary arrears – Felix Kwakye Ofosu

Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has revealed that former political appointees under the Akufo-Addo administration are owed about GH¢156 million in salary arrears, arguing that this explains the perceived increase in compensation allocations at the Office of the President.

Speaking on Joy News’ *PM Express* on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Kwakye Ofosu sought to clarify public concerns over figures contained in the 2026 Budget, insisting that a significant portion of the compensation allocation is meant to settle outstanding salary obligations owed to former appointees.

'No salary increments at Presidency' - Kwakye Ofosu clarifies

According to him, comparisons between current budgetary allocations and figures captured in previous budgets fail to account for the way salaries of political appointees are determined and paid.

“As I speak to you, that figure amounts to GH¢156 million. That is salary arrears for former appointees,” he stated.

The Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese MP explained that political staff at the Office of the President do not have their salaries determined immediately upon assumption of office. Instead, they receive payments on account until a committee established under constitutional arrangements determines their conditions of service and final remuneration.

He noted that once the determination is completed, affected officials are entitled to receive the difference between what they earned on account and what they should have been paid under the approved salary structure.

“What happens is that on exit, they are paid a top-up. That is the difference between what they took on account and what the committee determines should be paid to them,” he explained.

Kwakye Ofosu said the outstanding GH¢156 million relates to former political appointees who served under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and are yet to receive their salary adjustments.

He argued that many critics have overlooked this component when analysing the compensation budget for the Presidency.

“So it is not accurate to say that the figures have gone up without this particular context,” he said.

The minister further maintained that the salaries currently being paid to political appointees under President John Dramani Mahama are largely based on salary structures inherited from the previous administration.

“The same salaries that we came to meet are what we are taking,” he stated.

According to him, once the arrears owed to former appointees are deducted from the compensation allocation, the actual amount being used for current staff is significantly lower than some public commentators have suggested.

His remarks come amid growing political debate over expenditure at the Office of the President, with government officials defending the budget figures while critics question the size of compensation allocations despite a reduction in the number of presidential staffers.

Kwakye Ofosu insisted that a proper understanding of the constitutional process for determining the salaries and benefits of political office holders is necessary before conclusions are drawn about the Presidency's compensation budget.

NA/BAI

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