Mahama Administration Maintains Inherited Salary Structure for Presidential Staff Amid Debates on Government Size

The Government of Ghana has officially dismissed allegations that President John Mahama has increased the salaries of presidential staff and Article 71 office holders. During the Government Accountability Series, Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, clarified that the current remuneration framework was established under the previous Akufo-Addo administration. He emphasized that under the 1992 Constitution, any salary review requires the formation of a specific committee by the President, a step Mahama has not taken since assuming office. Instead, the current salaries were approved by Parliament in January 2025 based on prior recommendations, and the Finance Ministry is currently processing arrears for appointees from the 2021-2024 period rather than implementing new pay hikes.

The administration's clarification follows a period of intense public scrutiny regarding the size and cost of the Presidency. While the government reports that the number of political appointees at Jubilee House has decreased from 357 to 233, critics such as Damongo MP Samuel Abdulai Jinapor have raised concerns over a projected surge in the compensation bill. Budgetary figures indicate that the Office of the President's compensation costs are expected to rise from ""100 million in 2025 to ""248 million in 2026. Jinapor has urged civil society organizations to conduct a thorough assessment of the administration's true cost, suggesting that the reduction in ministerial numbers does not fully account for the total salary burden of various presidential staffers and advisors.

In response to these concerns, the government maintains that the rise in projected compensation is linked to the settlement of outstanding obligations and the classification of staff. Kwakye Ofosu noted that the total staffing of 808 includes over 500 civil servants who are not political appointees and thus do not impact the political compensation bill. To address long-term concerns about salary disparities and transparency, President Mahama has signaled support for creating an independent emoluments body. This proposed entity would take the responsibility of determining public sector compensation out of the direct control of the executive, aligning with recommendations from the Constitution Review Commission to ensure a more balanced and fair pay structure for Article 71 office holders.