Former President John Dramani Mahama has said cutting down the number of Ministers and Presidential staffers will create fiscal space for Assembly Members to be paid monthly allowances.
At a meeting with Ghana Association of Assembly Members in his office in Accra, the National Democratic Congress flagbearer reaffirmed his promise to support Assembly Members with incentives and allowances to enable them discharge their responsibilities properly.
According to him, the next NDC government will drastically reduce the number of ministers to save money for the purpose of paying Assembly members.
“We intend to work with you so that you are able to live up to your responsibility as community development agents and the point of social contact in the community. We have a very strong responsibility to maintain peace and unity in our communities,” he said.
He noted that training and building the capacity of Assembly members will better enhance their understanding of their roles.
“One of the most pleasant news to your ears was my proposal to pay allowances to Assembly members. We will drastically reduce the size of government at the centre and that includes all these 125 ministers and thousands of people parading as presidential staffers. The money that we save will be sufficient to remunerate Assembly members but we will find other sources to make sure that the remuneration is handsome,” he added.
Mr. Mahama clarified that the gesture is not salary as reported but allowances.
