Majority leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu has claimed higher salaries for members of Parliament will make them more accountable to the citizenry.
The MPs argue the high standards the public is holding the institution to should be followed by better conditions of service.
Speaking on the floor of the House Tuesday, Mr. Mensah-Bonsu who is also parliamentary affairs minister said lawmakers must be treated well if the demands for accountability is to see the light of day.
“An accountable parliament is one that has reporting procedures to inform constituents, it is one that provides standards and enforceable codes of conduct to the members.
“Mr. Speaker, a parliament that is accountable is one that ; and before I state it, I should rather put it in capital letters, It is one that should provide adequate salaries to members of parliament to enable them to concentrate on the business of parliament. And yet every now and then citizens are at the throat of members of Parliament,” he said.
MPs who are classified as article 71 office holders are paid around GHC8,000 monthly while ministers receive GH¢ 15,739. The President and Vice President take home a monthly salary of GHC22,809 GHC20,529 respectively.
Below is the salary structure for article 71 office holders
Chief Justice – GH¢17,107
Speaker of Parliament – GH¢ 17,791
Cabinet Minister (MP) – GH¢16,423
Cabinet Minster (Non MP) – GH¢ 16,195
Minister of State (MP) – GH¢ 15,967
Minister of State (Non MP) – GH¢ 15,739
Regional Minister (MP) – GH¢ 15,967
Regional Minister (Non-MP) – GH¢15,511
Deputy Minster (MP) – GH¢ 14,826
Deputy Regional Minister (MP) – GH¢14,598
Deputy Minister (Non-MP) – GH¢ 14,369
Dep. Regional Minster (Non-MP) – GH¢ 142,142
Chairman, Council of State – GH¢ 14,826
Member, Council of State – GH¢ 13,685
Source:Ghana/StarrFMonline.com/103.5fm
