New entrants into Ghana’s Parliament will no longer earn salaries and other benefits similar to those lawmakers who have been re-elected to represent their constituents in the nation’s legislature.
A comprehensive review of the policy governing the setting of salaries and conditions of service of the nation’s lawmakers, for which the services of a consultant has been engaged, is underway.
The review will also see MPs push strongly for a significant pay rise, to help them cope with prevailing economic conditions.
The outcome of the review will be put before the President’s Committee on Emoluments, which has been tasked to recommend new salary levels for article 71 office holders, for consideration.
But, coming at the time back-benchers in Parliament are leading serious agitations for better conditions of service and recognition, there are indications the final report on the ongoing review could be rejected by new and fairly new Members of the House.
But, former Deputy Majority Leader, Hon John Tia, who is Chairman of the Review Committee, says there is no cause for alarm.
“In the past, it has just been a blanket thing that first year MPs and existing MPs for several terms take the same salary, but we want to make proposals to depart from that. We also want to make proposals to recognise positions like the leadership for instance who perform extra duties apart from their duties as MPs for their constituencies. In any profession, when you enter at a certain point, you don’t take the same salary with those who have been there already. So this is why we needed the services of a Consultant” he explained.
Hon. John Tia debunked the notion that the move will create discrimination amongst MPs when implemented.
“There will be base levels for all MPs. But if you performing extra duties as a Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, as Chief Whip or Chairman of a Committee, that is an extra responsibility and this must be recognised” he said.
According to the MP, there will be discussions with back benchers of the House who may disagree with the move.
The late December deadline given Parliament to make its input into the work of the President’s Committee on Emoluments has expired, but Hon John Tia is hopeful the Committee will not shut its doors to the House.