CHOP CHOP AT CASTLE

Posted on: www.dailyguideghana.com

By William Yaw Owusu

Tuesday December 4, 2012

There has been massive pay rise for functionaries of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) who are working at the Castle Osu, the seat of government.

This is the third time that the NDC government is increasing salaries of Castle staff within four years in office in spite of widespread economic hardships in the country, with some of the functionaries also working in some other capacities in government drawing huge allowances.

For instance, the Chief of Staff John Henry Martey Newman, Dr. Cadman Dufu Atta Mills brother of the late President Mills and James Bebaako-Mensah, Secretary to the President, Dr. Christine Amoako-Nuamah also moved up from GH¢ 5, 996.00 to GH¢ 7,195.20.

The revelation of the gargantuan pay rise comes in the wake of the government’s order to increase salaries of the President, his vice, Ministers and Members of Parliament and other political appointees that sparked public outrage in recent past as recommended by Ewurama Addy committee. They are also beneficiaries of the Ewurama Addy committee which will push their pay to over GH¢ 9,000, since the Chief of Staff draws more salary than the Ministers.

The initial pay rise DAILY GUIDE learnt was approved by the late President Atta Mills with his two brothers, Cadman Mills and Samuel Atta Mills benefitting in a nepotistic way.

Initial report suggested that Dr Cadman Mills who is a member of the NDC government Economic Advisory Council headed by Ishmael Yamson was servicing on the council pro bono.

The late president’s brother who lives in a plush bungalow at African Union (AU) Village in La Wireless/East Cantonments was said not to be drawing any salary when the announcement was made but it has turned that he is living fat on state largesse.      

President John Dramani Mahama in an attempt to water down the effects of the government’s action asked Parliament to review the Professor Ewurama Addy Committee which had pegged his monthly salary at Ghc12,000 while his Vice will take home Ghc10,500 because he did not know anything about it.

Dr Tony Joe Aidoo, a Senior Presidential Staffer who started at a salary level of GH¢ 4,447.45 and jumped to GH¢ 5,766.00.00 now takes home GH¢ 6,919.20 with late pay rise recommended by the Ewurama Addy Committee pushing him to over GH¢ 8000.

Kofi Totobi-Quakyi, Chairman of the National Communications Authority (NCA) started at GH¢ 4,372.61, rose to GH¢ 5,996.00 and is now taking home GH¢ 7,195.20 while Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (Rtd) has jumped from GH¢ 5,996.00 to GH¢ 7,195.20.

The officers are in the same level with the Chief of Staff meaning that they will be hitting over GH¢ 9000 with Ewurama Addy Committee.

Dr. Eric G.A. Don Arthur, chairman of the NDC Transitional Team and Commodore Steve Obimpeh who started at GH¢ 4, 4475.45, moved to 5, 766.00 are now taking home GH¢ 6, 919.20.

Most of them have no job doing at the Castle but being engaged as job for the boys.

Alex Percival Segbefia and Dr. Valerie Esther Sawyerr, two deputy Chiefs of Staff, who started at GH¢ 4, 086. 98  but moved to GH¢ 5, 996.00 now take home GH¢ 6, 711.60.

Kwasi Sienti Baffoe-Bonnie, an Aide to President Mahama and General Manager of Radio Gold who started at GH¢ 4, 107.96 and moved to GH¢ 5, 593.00 now takes home GH¢ 6, 711.60 while Mathias Akotia of comatose Brand Ghana who started at GH¢ 4, 086.98 and moved to GH¢ 5, 593.00 now takes home GH¢ 6, 711.60.

Samuel Koku Anyidoho, Director of Communications at the Presidency who claimed on radio yesterday that he had not been to the Castle in past months, Ludwig A. Hlodze, NDC Youth Organiser, Mike Obuobi, Aide to Mahama; Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, Director of Operations at the Presidency,  Bright Afeke, Kobina Abaka Quansah, Stanislav Xoexe Dogbe Patrick Aniagyei, Samuel Atta Mills, president Mills brother and Isaac Vanderpuije, now deputy Greater Accra regional minister  who all started at GH¢3,882.86 to GH¢ 5,305.00 are now taking GH¢ 6, 366.00.

The latest increment endorsed by Finance and Economic Planning Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor in a letter to the Controller and Accountant-General on May 30, when Mills was alive gave approval to additional 20 per cent payments taking effective from January 1, 2012. This was the time when President John Evans Atta Mills was in office.

The letter which was to be treated as “urgent” is requesting that “the new salary levels and the associated arrears are to be paid in June, 2012.”

The NDC gurus have suddenly jumped three steps in their salary life within a short span.