NEWS

Constitution Review Committee Proposes Tax on Presidential Salary

The Constitution Review Consultative Committee has put forward significant recommendations aimed at reforming Ghana’s governance framework. Key among these proposals is the abolition of Article 68 (5) of the constitution, which currently exempts the President from paying taxes on his salary and emoluments.

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The committee believes that requiring the President to pay taxes would uphold the principle of equality before the law and enhance the rule of law.

Former Tamale Central MP Inusah Fuseini, during stakeholder consultations, emphasized that the current exemption conflicts with the principles of fairness, as the President, whose salary is derived from public funds, is not subjected to taxation like other citizens. The proposed amendment seeks to rectify this disparity by mandating the President to contribute to the tax system.

In addition to addressing tax exemptions, the committee, established by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Osei-Kyei-Mensah Bonsu in 2023, has also recommended capping the size of Parliament and the executive branch. They argue that Parliament should be limited to a maximum of 277 elected members, necessitating amendments to Article 93 and Article 47. These changes would ensure that Ghana is divided into constituencies that do not exceed this limit for electing MPs.

Moreover, the committee has suggested that the size of the government be restricted, advocating for the elimination of the roles of Deputy Ministers and Regional Ministers. They propose that the President should appoint no more than 25 Ministers of State, who would be necessary for the effective administration of the country.

These recommendations aim to streamline governance, promote efficiency, and reinforce principles of equity and accountability within the nation’s political structure.