Article 71 is an archaic provision that needs to be expunged from the constitution – IEA’s Kwakye

Dr. John Kwakye, director of research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), has called for the abolition of Article 71 of the constitution, which outlines the salaries and allowances payable to the office holders covered by that article.

Article 71 of the Ghanaian constitution states:

The salaries and allowances payable, as well as the facilities and privileges, to-.



b. The chief justice and superior court of Judicature justices;

c. The Auditor-General, the President and Vice President of the Electoral Commission,

d. The Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, his deputies, and the District Assemblies' administrator for the Common Fund;

e. the President, Vice President, and other members of,

(i) a description of the National Council for Higher Education.

Public Services Commission,

iii) the Federal Communications Commission

Lands Commission and

v) Amounts charged to the consolidated fund for the National Commission for Civic Education shall be determined by the president based on the recommendations of a committee of no more than five individuals appointed by the president acting in accordance with the counsel of the council of state.

However, Dr. Kwakye asserts that this provision is "an obsolete provision that must be eliminated from the Constitution."

This tweet came after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo inaugurated the committee charged with determining the remuneration and privileges of Article 71 officeholders on Thursday, August 31.

He added that any proposed increases by the committee should be greeted with outrage from the public.

Given the condition of the economy, according to Dr. Kwakye, the Committee must recommend a salary freeze.

"Given the state of the economy, the Article 71 Committee must recommend a salary freeze." He tweeted that any proposed increases should be met with public outrage.

He added, "Article 71 emoluments review is a needless disturbance."

In accordance with the constitution, the committee would also examine the salaries and allowances of political officeholders and any other offices it deems appropriate.

Dr. Janet Fofie, a former chair of the Public Services Commission, chairs the committee.

The president stated that the composition of the committee was determined based on the advice of the State Council.

The President stated that the committee's responsibilities are twofold. One, to make recommendations regarding the remuneration and other privileges for Article 71 officeholders, as specified by the constitution, and to examine any other relevant methods that the committee considers appropriate for carrying out its duties.

He added, "I must mention that in recent years there has been a great deal of public discourse surrounding the remuneration of public officers, excluding the primary of those of Article 71 office holders, and whether or not, despite the constitutional mandates, we were deserving of what we are paid.

"In light of the challenges confronting our national economy at present. President Akufo-Addo suggested that your work should also address these issues and provide recommendations for how they should be addressed.

These are the committee members:

Dr. Janet Fofie is the Chair and Professor Gyan Baffour is a Member.
Member Madam Gloria Ofori Buodu
Dr. Osei-Akoto - Constituent
Mr. Ben Arthur – Constituent