Minority resists increase in presidential staffers from 998 to 1,614

Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa quoted Deut. 10:16

The Minority in Parliament has expressed worry over government’s intention to increase the number of presidential staffers from 998 to 1,614.

This is said to have been captured in Appendix 7 of the full budget statement presented to Parliament by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta.

In April 2018, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in compliance with Section 11 of the Presidential Office Act, 1993 (Act 463), presented to Parliament a total number of 998 as workers at the Jubilee House.

This generated public outcry as some of the positions were questioned.

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Lady-In-Waiting was, for instance, questioned by critics as some felt some were a duplication of roles.

Debating the 2019 budget statement, Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa says the presidency has become “stubborn” over the concerns raised.

“998, Ghanaians were outraged [and] you are increasing it to 1,614.”

He noted that what is more worrying is the capping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor over the number of persons to employ.

He mentioned that the Office has a sealing to employ only 12 people.

“The Bible says in Deuteronomy 10:16. Moses told the Israelites, don’t harden your hearts. Don’t be stubborn. The people of this country are against this obese government.”

He also cited the decline in allocation for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), which will get circa GH¢617,351 less from what it had in 2018.

Source: 3news.com|Ghana