Richmond Agyabeng Amponsah has revealed the dire situation faced by former colleagues who are yet to receive their salary arrears, with 12 of them now battling stroke and struggling to access medical care.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Amponsah explained that delays in payments under previous administrations left many MMDCEs financially incapacitated.
“About 12 people are battling stroke, and every now and then, they call to ask when the salaries will be paid. Bodies are stuck at the mortuary, and people can’t access medical care despite being sick because they have no money,” he lamented.
He attributed the situation to previous pay cuts and unfulfilled statutory increments, noting that MMDCEs’ salaries had suffered under the prior government, with some receiving as low as GH¢9,000 after deductions.
“Initially, in 2017, we were taking GH¢16,400, so after all deductions, you would get around GH¢9,000. Then, unfortunately, we suffered pay cuts, and I don’t know who advised President Akufo-Addo,” he added.
Mr. Amponsah, however, praised the current government for addressing salary increments and improving development funding through tools like the district performance assessment system, which has helped some districts access significantly higher allocations.
He cited his own district, Achiase, where the district received GH¢9.4 million, compared to the previous high of just GH¢1 million.
Despite these improvements, Amponsah stressed the urgent need for the government to release arrears owed to former MMDCEs. He confirmed engaging the Local Government Minister, Ibrahim Ahmed, and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who have both advocated for the outstanding payments, urging the Finance Minister to expedite the process.
“The truth is this government is pushing for the MMDCEs. We will appeal to the government to pay the arrears of former MMDCEs. They have admitted it is legitimate,” Amponsah said.
He warned that without immediate action, more lives could be at risk, as former MMDCEs remain unable to afford essential medical care, highlighting the human cost of delayed salaries.
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