The Chamber of Petroleum Consumers Ghana (COPEC Ghana) says Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, should have led the charge for government’s economic recovery program by forgoing all his benefits.
In an interview with the media, the executive secretary, Duncan Amoah, speaking said such an initiative would show that Mr Ofori-Atta is setting an example for others to follow.
According to him, government cutting the discretionary spending of officials by an additional 10% and the salaries of Heads of SOEs by 30%, although a good measure, is not enough to help officials appreciate the plight of Ghanaians as their remaining salary would still be substantial to combat the “financial pandemic.”
Interacting with host, Benjamin Akakpo on Friday on the Am Show on Joy news, he said, “On the issue of cutting back some of the salary and allowances to be given is a good measure.
“However, there are quite a number of Ghanaians who don’t even have salary to be cut. So for them, if you are getting your benefit and you are cutting part of your benefit off, it is up to you guys but what comes to the ordinary Ghanaian, that is what most of us were looking out for.
“In other counties, they are quite certain that times are rough and so, France will put out $2 billion to say I’m going to offset about 17 for every litre you buy. That is what they are putting back in the pocket of ordinary people.”
He, therefore, said, “I’m not certain the Finance Minister did put anything really significant back in the pocket of Ghanaian aside they cutting their appointees benefits and all that
Source: Joynews
