The government has allocated GHS 100 million for the payment of allowances to assembly members across the country, a move aimed at ensuring fairness in remuneration regardless of location.
The initiative, promised by President John Mahama during his 2024 campaign, was confirmed in the latest budget statement presented by the Finance Minister.
The decision has been widely welcomed by assembly members, many of whom have expressed gratitude to the government for fulfilling the pledge.
Speaking on GIFT FM, Dr. Richard Fiadomor, President of the Chamber of Local Governance (Chalog), described the initiative as a crucial step toward equitable compensation.
He highlighted the long-standing disparity in allowances, where urban assembly members receive higher sitting fees due to their districts’ higher Internally Generated Funds (IGF), while those in rural areas earn significantly less.
“This allocation will ensure fair and consistent stipends for all assembly members, irrespective of whether they serve in urban or rural districts. It will also enhance their ability to effectively address issues in their electoral areas,” Dr. Fiadomor stated.
Addressing concerns about whether the introduction of stipends could make assembly elections more competitive, he noted that Ghana has approximately 7,200 assembly members, each likely to receive between GHS 1,000 and GHS 1,300 per month.
He downplayed suggestions that such an amount would influence electoral competitiveness, emphasizing that assembly members serve selflessly and the policy is intended solely to promote fairness.
Dr. Fiadomor reaffirmed that President Mahama’s decision is not politically motivated but rather seeks to recognize and support the work of assembly members, ensuring they receive a fair allocation of resources to facilitate their duties.
