Media personality, Bridget Otoo has sarcastically criticized Ghanaians for always talking about Second Lady, Samira Bawumia’s public appearances.
She said the constant public discourse about the Second Lady’s wearing of makeups and hair usually captured in photos shared on social media is the reason behind the decision to put her and the First Lady on government payroll.
For her, the state would have been spared of such needless expenditure if Ghanaians had minded their business and resisted the temptation to talk bout the Second Lady’s appearances at public events.
“Everyday you people won’t keep quiet about @SBawumia‘s makeup, hair and photo shoots. You see now @NAkufoAddo is making us pay her for looking good,” she stated in post on social media.
She, however, urged Mrs. Bawumia to “keep slaying on our money”.
With a monthly payment from the state’s coffers, she believes the Second Lady will enhance her public appearance and “serve” Ghanaians with more stunning photos every day.
“I won’t be surprised if she starts serving us three photos per day. Go get them Ma’am,” she said teasingly.
Bridget Otoo said this in reaction to the public backlash over the approval of the Committee on Emoluments recommendation for spouses of the President and the Vice President to be paid monthly from state coffers.
The committee chaired by Prof. Ntiamoa-Baidu was set up by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2019 to make recommendations to him and Parliament in respect of emoluments and other privileges for Article 71 office holders, as specified under the Constitution, and to deliberate on any other matter which it deemed relevant to its work.
The committee, after its deliberations, recommended among others the putting of spouses of the President and the Vice President on government payroll.
The recommendation has since been approved by the executive and the legislature. But Ghanaians are angered by the move. Many of them on social media have expressed displeasure over the decision as they believe it will further compound the economic struggles of the state.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which described the recommendation and the approval of same as an “unjustifiable assault on the Constitution”, has indicated its intention to challenge the matter in the Supreme Court.
