Parliament has turned down the request by President John Dramani Mahama to review the emoluments of the House recently approved for the executive arm of government.
A usually credible source told the GNA after a closed sitting of the legislature on Thursday that the House could not accede to the President's request because it was not under the ambit of the Parliament to carry out such review.
The source said the Presidency would be informed of the decision of the House in due course.
President Mahama, after Parliament authorized a substantial pay hike for the Executive, ordered the Finance and Economic Planning Ministry to halt payment of the approved emolument and asked the Legislature to review the remuneration.
Parliament in a closed sitting on Wednesday, October 31, approved a monthly consolidated pay of GH¢ 12,000 for the President, GH¢ 10,500 for Vice President and between GH¢ 9,000 and GH¢ 8,000 for Ministers and their deputies.
This attracted public outcry, with notable institutions questioning the rationale for such an increase, especially when it would be drawn from the Consolidated Fund, leading to the President urging a review of that decision.
Constitutionally, the emoluments and salaries of the Executive are approved by the Legislature and those of the Legislature have to be endorsed by the Executive.