The president of Ghana is regarded as the number one citizen and the first gentleman of the Republic. The constitution of Ghana stipulates that he or she is the Head of State, Head of Government, and also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana.
As a result, any individual who holds that highly sought-after post is anticipated to receive the highest income in the nation.
Today, we will throw more light on the amount of money that the President of Ghana takes home as his or her personal salary on a monthly and annual basis.
Several sources and online media outlets have reported on the wage structure for the post of Ghana’s President, with one source stating that the first citizen of the nation earns a monthly remuneration of GH22,809, which is comparable to US$4,898.
That claim has been disproved by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo himself, who disclosed that he earns around GH29,000 each month. He made this disclosure during the “Presidential Pitch,” a launching event for a business ideas competition that was arranged by the White House. As a result of the promise made by the President of Ghana, the yearly pay for holding the position of Ghana’s first citizen was projected to be around Ghc348,000.
Benefits, Advantages And Allowances of Ghana President
With that said about the president’s monthly and annual income, it is also important to note that Ghana’s president does not only collect basic salary alone.
The country’s number one citizen is also entitled to some juicy benefits and allowances which are provided free of charge. Even after he has left office, an ex-president of the country will continue receiving some of these allowances.
1. Health Insurance
As the first gentleman of the land, the president gets access to world-class medical facilities anytime he or she is in need of it. In reality, this specific perk is available to both the current and former presidents of Ghana, who are both covered by lifelong health insurance. It is the state’s responsibility to cover all of their medical expenditures.
2. Protection at All Times
The president of Ghana is afforded the highest level of security that the government has to offer. He or she will have access to armed guards at all times. After the president’s term ends, he will still have access to the military, police, and other state security officials.
3. A Fleet of Armored Vehicles
Armed security is just one facet of the Ghana President’s security apparatus. A fleet of armored cars will be available to both the current president and previous presidents. The vehicles are bullet-proof, guaranteeing that the president or ex-president is secure even if security is breached.
The sitting president of Ghana will enjoy transportation services with plush automobiles such as:
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class
- Maybach
- Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé (including Ghosts)
- Escort Vehicles
- Bentley
- Maserati
- Cadillac Escalade
- Honorary escort (motorcycles)
- BMW
- Air transport services like Airplanes for long-distance travel Dassault Falcon 900 (long-range) – main jet aircraft Embraer Jet 190 (long-range) Helicopters Mil Mi-17
4. On-hand Cooks/Housekeepers
One of the entitlements of Ghana’s president is on-hand cooks/housekeepers who will handle the chores at the Jubilee House. These staff members take care of the domestic needs of the president and his family.
5. A Pretty Pension
Once a sitting president of Ghana completes his tenor and leaves office, the authorities will activate a monthly pension for the outgoing head of government. Below are instances of some pensions being received by some ex-presidents of Ghana;
Jerry John Rawlings GH¢15,972 (non-taxable)
John Kuffuor GH¢15,972. (non-taxable) Salary Increment Was Frozen For Article 71 Officeholders
A June 2020 recommendation from the Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu Emoluments Committee suggested that the Ghana Parliament increase the salary of Ghana’s President from the current GH₵29,899 to GH₵47,277.
The same recommendation also advocated for the increase in remuneration for Ministers, Members of Parliament, including all those who came under the umbrella of “Article 71 Officeholders”. The Article 71 Officeholders are;
- The President
- The Vice-President
- The Speaker of Parliament
- The Chief Justice
- Justices of the Supreme Court
6. A State Funeral
In the case of death, both sitting president and former ones will be buried by the state. Ghana will take full charge of all the expenses. Recently, the government of Ghana created the ‘Asomdwe park’ – a burial ground exclusively reserved for the burial of sitting president and the former ones. Prof John Mills became the first Ghana president to be interred there.
With that said, we must acknowledge Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s prior decision earlier in May when the country’s first citizen announced an impending freeze on salary increment for himself and all other Members of the Executive.
This decision of the president was orchestrated by the after-effect of the COVID 19 pandemic that stretched the country’s economy to its limits. He also assured the public sector that the freeze was not applicable to them.
Comparing Ghana With Other Country’s Presidents
In comparison to the presidents of other African nations, the president of Ghana makes a substantial amount of money. However, the value of these presidents’ salary is strongly influenced by the value of their native currency in relation to the dollar in the money market.
The value of certain African currencies, such as Nigeria’s naira, is very low when compared to the dollar; even Ghana’s cedis is far higher. When compared to the salary of presidents in wealthy nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom, Ghana’s president’s remuneration is much lower.
South African President’s Salary
Recent reports have suggested that the president of South Africa’s yearly salary be raised from its current level of R2.99 million to R3.1 million. If the commission’s suggestion is followed, this three percent increase will result in an extra R90000 in salary
Egypt President Salary
The Egyptian Presidency, has an annual salary reported to be around $US 63,000, or EGP 500,000.
Nigerian President’s Salary
Following a 50 percent reduction in the income of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the current president currently earns a monthly salary of 14 million Naira, with a base salary of 3,514,705 Naira. Other entitlements, such as consistency allowance, hardship allowance, estacode, medical requirements, and other benefits, make up the remainder of the payment.