Following public outcry, Rebecca Akufo-Addo and Samira Bawumia issued separate statements to reject all monies to be paid to them in their capacities as First and Second Ladies, following recommendations by the Professor Yaa Ntiamoah Baidoo Committee. He explained that particularly when the president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has continuously said that the country is economically handicapped, this was a bad move and wrong timing. The president told us that things are tight, the economy is hard hit by COVid-19, things are difficult and so we should tighten our belt. He told public workers not to ask for an increment in salaries because things are tight. That is what the public outburst is about and so if the First Lady and Second Lady say because of the public outburst, now they don't want the allowance again, then they should refund it; we need it," he said.

Source: GhanaWeb July 13, 2021 15:33 UTC