The Presidency has dismissed claims that the Mahama administration has increased salaries for political appointees, while also confirming the resignations of former Chief Justice Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo from the Council of State and Dr. Bossman Asare as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.
Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Accra, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, said recent reports and commentaries on the three issues had been characterized by misinformation and required clarification.
Justice Sophia Akuffo, Bossman Asare Resign
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu confirmed that Justice Sophia Akuffo had formally resigned from the Council of State after submitting her resignation letter to President John Dramani Mahama in September 2025.
“I can confirm that Justice Sophia A.B. Akuffo has resigned from her position as a member of the Council of State. She submitted a letter in September 2025 to the President indicating her desire to resign,” he said.
He explained that the President delayed accepting the resignation at the request of the Council of State, which sought to engage Justice Akuffo to determine whether any concerns could be addressed.
“The President has formally accepted her resignation, and she is no longer a member of the Council of State. The law is clear on the process to replace her, and that is ongoing,” he stated.
The Presidential Spokesperson also confirmed that Dr. Bossman Asare had notified the President of his intention to resign as Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission effective July 31, 2026.
“He gives a reason for his resignation: he wants to go back to academia and pursue his career as a staff member of the University of Ghana,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu disclosed.
He further revealed that Electoral Commission Deputy Chairperson Samuel Tetteh had retired and that processes were underway to appoint replacements for both officials.
Presidency Staff Reduced
On the issue of staffing at the Presidency, Mr. Kwakye Ofosu said President Mahama had fulfilled his pledge to reduce the number of political appointees and government officials at the seat of government.
According to him, the list submitted to Parliament this year showed that there are currently 808 personnel at the Presidency, comprising 233 political appointees and 575 civil and public servants.
He contrasted the figure with the 2024 list inherited from the previous administration, which contained 953 personnel, including 355 political appointees and 598 public servants.
“President Mahama promised to slash the number of political appointees and people who work at the Presidency, the same way he promised to reduce the number of ministers and deputies, and he has done exactly that,” he said.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu noted that the current administration is operating with 58 ministers and deputy ministers, below the President’s initial target of 60.
Salary Increase Claims Rejected
The Government Communications Minister strongly rejected allegations that President Mahama had increased the salaries and benefits of political appointees.
He described reports suggesting a rise in presidential staff remuneration as inaccurate and politically motivated.
“For the avoidance of doubt, President Mahama has not set up a committee to determine the emoluments and working conditions of Article 71 office holders,” he said.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu explained that the salaries currently being paid to Article 71 office holders and analogous presidential staff were determined by an emoluments committee established under the previous administration.
“The salaries and conditions of Article 71 office holders who are working today under President Mahama were determined by the government that left office on 6th January 2025,” he stressed.
He further noted that the Constitution does not permit the President to unilaterally reduce salaries determined through constitutionally approved processes.
“The Constitution is also clear that nobody’s conditions of service can be varied downwards. So President Mahama cannot, on his own, say that he has reduced the grade points used to determine salaries,” he explained.
Call for Emoluments Reform
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu disclosed that President Mahama supports reforms to the current salary determination system and favors the establishment of an independent body to oversee remuneration across the public sector.
“The President has said publicly that an independent emoluments committee should be set up to look at all salaries relating to public and civil servants in Ghana so that disparities are removed,” he said.
He indicated that Cabinet had recently held extensive discussions on recommendations arising from the Constitutional Review process and would continue deliberations later this month.
‘Not One Cedi Added’
The Presidential Spokesperson concluded by insisting that the government had not increased the salaries of presidential appointees.
“For the avoidance of doubt, President Mahama has not added one cedi to the salaries of political appointees at the Presidency that he came to meet. This must be placed strictly on record,” he declared.
He urged the media and the public to verify information before accepting claims suggesting that reductions in government staffing had been offset by increased remuneration.
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
