Following the massive public backlash, the First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo has decided to return all allowances paid to her by the state since 2017.
Mrs Akufo-Addo served notice she is returning to the government some GHC899, 097.84 paid to her as allowances since 2017 after a public hue and cry over a decision to pay her and the second lady, Samira Bawumia, monthly salaries.
In a statement signed by the Director of Communications at the Office of the First Lady on Monday, July 12, Madam Akufo-Addo noted that she did not request to be paid any allowance and that “She only received that which existed and attached to her status, albeit informally”.
“In view of this, the First Lady, in consultation with the President of the Republic, has decided to refund all monies paid to her as allowances from the date of the President’s assumption of office, i.e., from January 2017 to date, amounting to GHC899,097.84.
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Meanwhile, Ghanaians on social media are confused and divided over the first lady’s decision to refund all the money.
This news has caused a mixed reactions from Ghanaians, with some saying that it was right for her to receive the money.
However, some also believe that she did the right thing by rejecting the presidential spouse’s salary to help fix the country.
See some reactions from Twitter below;
The allowance of the First lady too dem tear committee? Omo agye sika puduoo oooo😂😂😂😂
— Essel (@thatEsselguy) July 12, 2021
Ghanaians bullied the First Lady to reject the monthly allowance allocated to her, it’s her constitutional right and i think she rejecting it was wrong.
— Saada 🇬🇭 🐬 (@daddys_girltn) July 12, 2021
The First Lady says she has rejected the monthly salary she’s supposed to be given since 2017 LMAOO
As for me I’m not happy about this cos I know there are several ways they can still use to pay her that money without Ghanaians knowing about it 👍🏽
— KELEWELE JOINT 🍟 (@ANKAMAGYIMI__) July 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/Prince_Ghana1/status/1414835401894809601?s=20
Reject the money to avoid public criticisms, Cashout in private🔥😂 God bless the First Lady
— Lατιf (@iLatif_) July 13, 2021
Samira Bawumia seeing the First Lady has refunded the money pic.twitter.com/0vEsJmhN3Y
— Nungua Cardi B💕 (@ellyserwaaa) July 12, 2021
Im not falling for this first lady returning her salary story. This government will find ways and means to give her the money back. Parliament might approve a loan to buy her wigs.
— Torgbuigà🇶🇦 (@Mr_Ceyram) July 13, 2021
https://twitter.com/be35607/status/1414733287600295940?s=20
Source: Ghanaarticles.com