SHOCK – Ghana with many problems pays Appeal Court judges ¢62k and ¢6m retirement package

Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare is a US-based Ghanaian lawyer and scholar. He has expressed concern about high wages for public officeholders in Ghana.

Ghana faces many challenges. These include flooding, debt restructuring, unpaid contractors, and underinvestment in health and education. Despite this, the country pays elite officials substantial salaries.

For example, Appeal Court judges earn ₵62,202.53 monthly. After 25 years of service, they receive a retirement package worth over ₵6 million.

In a Facebook post, Professor Asare explained the benefits for judges. They receive their monthly salary for life after retirement. This amount increases whenever sitting justices' salaries rise.

Judges also get a gratuity of four months’ salary for each year served. For 25 years of service, this totals ₵6,220,253 as a lump sum upon retirement. Their annual pension starts at over ₵746,000 with automatic increases.

Asare noted that while these rewards are generous for judges, they burden the public purse. If ten justices retire in one year, it costs the state over ₵62 million in gratuities alone.

Additionally, nearly ₵8 million per year goes to pensions that will increase over time. This does not include healthcare or other post-retirement benefits.

He acknowledged that judicial compensation can be justified to prevent corruption and ensure independence. However, he believes these benefits are becoming unjust and unsustainable given the country's economic reality.

Many citizens face financial struggles:
- National service personnel earn less than ₵1,000 monthly.
- Medical professionals are underpaid and lack resources.
- Public workers often deal with salary delays.
- Citizens have accepted cuts on government bonds and pensions.
- Hospitals and schools frequently lack essential supplies.
- Accra suffers from flooding during rains.

In light of these issues, Asare questioned how we can justify paying millions to one individual while basic services remain underfunded.