Mahama has not increased salaries of presidential staff — Kwakye Ofosu clarifies

The Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed claims that President John Dramani Mahama has increased the salaries of staff at the Presidency, stating that the current remuneration structure was approved under the previous administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, June 15, 2026, Mr Kwakye Ofosu responded to allegations that the Mahama administration had sanctioned salary increments for presidential staff and other Article 71 office holders.

He explained that under the Constitution, the salaries and conditions of service of Article 71 office holders are determined through a legally prescribed process that requires the President to establish a committee to make recommendations.

According to him, President Mahama has not constituted any such committee since assuming office and therefore cannot be accused of increasing the salaries of Article 71 office holders.

“When it comes to the salaries of Article 71 holders, the law is clear that the president must set up a committee. For the avoidance of doubt, President Mahama has not set up any committee to look at the emoluments or conditions of Article 71 holders. So, the salaries of these categories of people who are working under President Mahama were determined by the NPP,” he said.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu noted that the salary structure currently in force is based on recommendations that were approved before the change of government and remain valid because no new review process has been initiated.

He explained that after the committee completed its work, the law required the Presidency to submit the report to Parliament for approval.

“The law requires that when the committee finishes, the presidency must transmit the report to Parliament for subsequent approval. That was not done, so in January 2025, President Akufo-Addo submitted the recommendation to Parliament, which was approved,” he stated.

He maintained that the Mahama administration is simply implementing a remuneration framework it inherited and described claims that the President had increased salaries as unfounded.

“Because President Mahama has not set up such a committee, it is what we came to meet that we are taking. It is therefore illogical that the opponents turn round to say that President Mahama has increased salaries,” Mr Kwakye Ofosu added.