Prof. Stephen Kwaku Asare, popularly known as Prof. Kwaku Azar, has sparked a renewed debate on salary transparency, calling for public disclosure of salary of public officials. His call comes in response to revelations surrounding the immediate past Managing Director (MD) of the State Insurance Company (SIC), who was earning a significant GH₵70,000 monthly salary, along with extravagant benefits.
The exposed earnings of the former SIC MD, which include annual allowances and perks, have triggered public outrage. Many Ghanaians are now questioning the significant disparities in compensation across various sectors, especially as ordinary workers struggle with economic difficulties.
Prof. Kwaku Azar has suggested that public sector salaries should be made public to ensure accountability and fairness in how taxpayer money is used. He argues that transparency is critical in preventing pay inequities, curbing abuse, and aligning compensation with actual productivity and national development goals.
Taking to Facebook, he posted: “No more secrecy! No more excess! No more excuses! Publish the compensation and benefit packages of all SOE and CEOs immediately. Da Yie (rest well).”
This post reflects his firm stance on public salary transparency, especially within State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the broader public sector.
The debate is growing, as many believe that transparency in salaries would prevent unjustified pay packages and serve as a safeguard against corruption in public offices. The Professor’s suggestion for full salary disclosure also resonates with many civil servants, who struggle with low wages while witnessing the excessive remuneration enjoyed by high-ranking officials.
However, the issue of salary transparency remains culturally sensitive in Ghana. In many settings, people tend to keep their earnings private, fearing unnecessary scrutiny, potential security risks, and workplace conflicts. Despite this, many Ghanaians are beginning to acknowledge that salary transparency could be a crucial step toward preventing corruption and abuse of public funds.
The extravagant earnings of the former SIC MD, which included a GH₵70,000 basic salary, GH₵84,000 annual clothing allowance, GH₵7,000 monthly entertainment allowance, and numerous other perks, have fueled the debate. These perks included free housing, utilities, and healthcare for her spouse and five children, as well as GH₵3,000 monthly allowances each for a househelp and security man, GH₵2,000 for a gardener, an official V8, and 450 litres of fuel.
Many on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), expressed outrage over these revelations. Prof. Enoch Antwi, a Professor of Leadership and Management, voiced his concern, asking: “How many househelps and security men are paid GH₵3,000 monthly? This is total robbery of the public purse.” His comments echoed the growing sentiment that such excessive benefits are unjustifiable, given the economic challenges faced by ordinary Ghanaians.
As the conversation on salary transparency deepens, Prof. Kwaku Azar’s call for public disclosure of salaries in the public sector continues to gain traction, sparking widespread discussions about governance, equity, and accountability in Ghana’s public institutions.
