The government has disbursed 107 million Ghanaian cedis (GH¢) to assembly members across the country, according to the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim.
Speaking before Parliament’s Government Assurance Committee, Mr Ibrahim confirmed that each of the country’s 9,090 assembly members received GH¢1,300.
He stated that the payments were completed ahead of the 31 December 2025 deadline, as outlined in the 2025 budget.
The disbursement covers both elected and appointed local government officials nationwide.
Addressing the committee, Mr Ibrahim said: “The president has paid hundred and seven million cedis to all the assembly members in the country. And each assembly member, all the nine thousand and ninety. We have six thousand two hundred and seventy-two elected assembly members and two thousand eight hundred and thirteen appointed assembly members.”
The minister explained that the funds were released to all 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) on a quarterly basis, adding that his ministry processed the funds without delay.
“Once the Finance Minister brings it I gave an order to the Financial Controller: send it to all the 261 MMDAs to pay. So it is being paid on quarterly basis,” Mr Ibrahim said.
He further disclosed that the first quarter allowance for 2026 has already been released.
“That the one for 2026, the first quarter was released this week. And as of yesterday, I gave an order to the Financial Controller. Once it has come, send it to the assembly members. So we are on track when it comes to the payment of allowances for assembly members,” he added.
Mr Ibrahim also noted that the ministry had resolved an initial dispute with some assembly members who objected to tax deductions on their allowances.
“They were saying that they should not pay tax. And we say all allowances are tax deductible. And that was the only challenge,” he explained.
Concluding his remarks, the minister expressed gratitude to lawmakers for their role in securing the funding, saying: “May I also thank Parliament for giving that approval and also for fighting for my ministry to be able to pay the assembly members allowances.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
