Whilst pensioners were facing DDEP Article 71 beneficiaries were quietly awarded raises – Alarm blows

Professor Stephen Kwaku Asare, a US-based Ghanaian lawyer, has raised concerns. He highlighted that Article 71 beneficiaries received backdated salary increases. This occurred while ordinary Ghanaians and pensioners faced the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

Asare noted that citizens had to tighten their belts. Meanwhile, heads of Independent Governance Bodies (IGBs) enjoyed significant pay raises. He revealed that salaries for the Electoral Commission and other IGBs increased by over 80% from 2020 to 2024.

In a Facebook post on May 20, 2025, he stated the total increase was about 81%. He compared this to the cedi's depreciation of around 50-60% during the same period. Many Ghanaians experienced zero or negative real wage growth.

He pointed out that while citizens struggled, IGBs received backdated raises. "They get salary arrears; we get austerity," he wrote. The Independent Governance Bodies in Ghana include several commissions and offices.

GOGO obtained a document approving salaries for IGB members from 2021 to 2024. It confirmed that the Auditor-General's monthly salary rose from ₵34,397 in 2020 to ₵62,202.53 by December 2024.

The following table shows yearly salary increases:

- 2020: ₵34,397.00
- 2021: ₵35,772.88 (4%)
- 2022: ₵38,276.98 (7%)
- 2023: ₵49,760.08 (30%)
- 2024a: ₵61,204.89 (23%)
- 2024b: ₵62,202.53 (1.6%)

The total increase from 2020 to late 2024 is about 81%. In contrast:

- Cedi depreciation: ~50–60%
- Real wage growth: Zero or negative for many Ghanaians
- Debt restructuring: Haircuts on bonds and pensions

Asare emphasized that while citizens shared burdens, IGBs benefited quietly from raises. They receive adjusted emoluments while ordinary people face emergency levies.

The table only reports salaries; additional benefits for IGB members are not yet available to GOGO. Salaries for 2025 will be determined in 2029 due to Article 71 rules.

Asare concluded with frustration over these developments: "Da Yie!"