Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has stated that the law that makes it constitutional for the Head of State not to pay tax must be scrapped.
Article 68 (5) of the 1992 constitution exempts the president and his vice from paying tax.
In Dr Nduom’s view, “this is wrong and it does not permit the president to set a good example for the rest of the citizens to follow…The president and the vice president should be made to pay tax on their pay and their allowances.”
“It is important that this amendment is made to support the moral authority of the president to go after tax evaders – whether they are appointees of the president or ordinary citizens. It’s an important principle that we would like to be upheld,” Dr Nduom said a day after a report by the Presidential Committee on Emoluments surfaced in the media indicating a 10% raise for Article 71 office holders, including the president and his deputy.
Per the raise, President John Mahama will be receiving about GH¢7,000 (GH¢6,837 to be exact) more as salary as he leaves office.
Mr Mahama, as president, is currently paid a non-taxable salary of GH¢15,972 but will be receiving GH¢ 22,809 per the raise.
As recommended by the report signed by Prof Dora Francisca Edua-Buandoh, Mr Mahama and his out-going government as well as the in-coming government will receive the raise from January 2017.
The raise takes retrospective effect from 2013.
Below is the list of Article 71 office holders and their respective salaries per the 10% raise:
Vice President – GH¢ 20,529
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/Miriam Hayford
