... they get $3,000 to $10,000 a month ...
The issue of dollarisation of the economy, which had in the past been harped on constantly by the Bank of Ghana (BOG) as one of the factors responsible for high inflation in the country has now assumed official status. Not only are some categories of government officials being paid in dollars, some individuals are paid frightening sums that make complete nonsense of the BOG policy.

Investigations by the Evening News newspaper indicate that a whole lot of individuals are paid between $3,000 to $10,000 a month not for any specific contracts but monthly emoluments.

The National Democratic Congress government began the practice (although it was relatively minimal in the 70s and 80s) by engaging a host of individuals as Special Advisors and Assistants to Ministers and government.

At the Ministry of Finance, officials like Joe Amamoo, K. Martey, Ishmeal Ashittey and Opoku Manu who were all special to the Minister received a whooping $6,000, $3,000 and $5,000 per month respectively. Others who received similar amounts were Yaw Bonsu-Atakora, Abaka-Quansah, J.B. Serebour, Dr Sikpa Yankey, K. Amissah-Arthur, Mike Kosi and Nii Okai Adjei.

The Ministry of Energy had assistants such as Dr Wereko Brobbey, Nii Amaah who received a whooping $10,000, Sam Klu and Dr Nii Narku Quaynor.

Similar amounts were paid to Kojo Ata-Kra, K. Edwards and Dr K. Dapaah at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The practice of engaging Special Assistants were deepened with people being appointed to the office of the then Vice President, J.E.A. Mills who had Kwesi Yankah, Rojo Mettle-Nunoo and Mr Turkson as aides.

There was Dr Ansah at the Roads and Transport Ministry, Victor Smith and Sati Ocran at the office of the former First Lady, Opoku Acheampong at the Castle, Adanusa at the Information Ministry, Kofi Smith at Lands and Forestry, Kwamina Hantour and P.K. Thompson at the Bank of Ghana and about four unofficial Special Assistants to Mr Peperah. They included Kay Amoah, Johnny Addaquaye, Johnny Attafuah and Yaw Barimah.

Under the NPP government, however, the practice seems to have assumed alarming proportions with nearly all Ministers and their deputies, office of the President up to that of First Lady, having Assistants. What is different this time is that, unlike in the ND era, today’s Special Assistants virtually parade their badges on their chests and sometimes move round speaking on policy issues.

The Evening News says its investigations can confirm that some Special Assistants in the NPP administration are paid between $4000 and above.

According to Dr Osei Akoto, Special Assistant to the Minister of Finance, “the idea of government using Special Assistants is a Cabinet decision”. He said although he was privy to that decision, he could not comment on the issue. It is known that the Ministry of Finance has two Special Assistants in the persons of Dr Osei Akoto and Robert Poku Kyei who are both Special Assistants to the Minister of Finance.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has three Special Assistants in the names Larry Attafuah, Busia and Alanbilla. The Ministry of Education has Mr Ahmed Ayuba as Special Assistant to the Minister. The office of the Vice President has about four. The Ministry of Information and Presidential Affairs has Ferdinand Ayim, Dr Somuah among others as assistants to the Minister.

When contacted, the Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey said although it was a collective decision to have Special Assistants, none of then receive salary in dollars. He said those who were seconded from institutions where salaries are higher than Civil Service are being paid the same salaries they were receiving. “Like Dr Osei Akoto, Special Assistant for the Finance Minister, who was seconded from the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), there is no way he can be paid less than what he was receiving”.

He said the general low salary in the Civil Service has made the area unattractive especially to people who receive higher salaries elsewhere. Therefore any attempt to woo such experts into the service has to go with salaries, which are either higher or at least equal to what they receive. Mr Obetsebi Lamptey said apart from Dr Osei Akoto and a few others, all other Special Assistants receive the normal Civil Service salary and “nothing like dollars or any other currency”.

Some people however believe otherwise, given the facilities that go with such responsibilities. For instance, it is known that the Governor of the Bank of Ghana whose outfit has issued directives against quotation of transactions in dollars is himself paid in dollars.