- Richmond Agyabeng Amponsah reveals that 12 former MMDCEs are battling strokes and struggling to access medical care
- Previous pay cuts and unfulfilled statutory increments left many financially incapacitated, with some receiving as little as GH¢9,000 after deductions
- Current government praised for addressing salary increments and boosting district funding through the District Performance Assessment System
Richmond Agyabeng Amponsah has highlighted the severe hardships faced by former MMDCEs who are yet to receive their salary arrears, revealing that 12 of them are now battling strokes and struggling to access medical care.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Amponsah explained that delays in payments under previous administrations left many former MMDCEs financially incapacitated.
“About 12 people are battling stroke, and they regularly call to ask when their salaries will be paid. Bodies are stuck at the mortuary, and people cannot access medical care despite being ill because they have no money,” he lamented.
He attributed the crisis to prior pay cuts and unfulfilled statutory increments, noting that some MMDCEs previously earned as little as GH¢9,000 after deductions.
“In 2017, we were receiving GH¢16,400, which after deductions came to about GH¢9,000. Unfortunately, there were pay cuts, and I don’t know who advised President Akufo-Addo,” he added.
Amponsah, however, commended the current government for addressing salary increments and enhancing development funding through initiatives like the District Performance Assessment System, which has allowed districts to access significantly higher allocations.
He cited his own district, Achiase, which 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 Local Government Minister Ibrahim Ahmed and Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, who have advocated for the payments, urging the Finance Minister to expedite the process.
“The truth is this government is pushing for MMDCEs. We will appeal to the government to pay the arrears of former MMDCEs. They have admitted it is legitimate,” he 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.
