Kwesi Pratt Defends Opuni Over GHC70,000 Salary

Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has jumped to the defense of the former COCOBOD CEO, Dr. Opuni Frimpong over his GHC70, 000 monthly salary.

He could not fathom why some politicians and section of the public have descended heavily on the former COCOBOD boss after details of his salary went viral.

According to him, Dr. Opuni is not the only public chief executive officer in the country earning that amount.

“Why single out Dr Opuni when other public chief executive officers are taking huge salaries even more than Opuni and the President. The issue should not be centered on him. It is important that we look at the real issue and how to deal with it and stop this pettiness” he stated.

Kwesi Pratt Jnr’s comment follows anger by some Ghanaians after an unverified list detailing the huge salaries of some public chief executive officers in the country went viral.

The disclosure of the whopping GHC70,000 monthly salary paid Dr. Stephen Opuni by the new board chairman of the COCOBOD, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman has generated massive public outcry.

Mr. Owusu-Agyemang has subsequently disclosed that the new CEO of the state facility has agreed to be paid half of the salary paid his predecessor.

But commenting on the issue, on Adom FM’s Morning Show “Dwaso Nsem” Thursday, Mr Pratt asked the nation not to be quick to jump in to conclusions over the matter.

He maintained that, the amount of money paid an individual is not an issue if his or her job brings huge returns to the state.

Kwesi Pratt believes the only solution to such problem is for Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to begin rationalizing wages and salaries of public institutions.

“It’s the duty of Fair Wages & Salaries Commission to regulate salaries. Equity, justice and fair play should be at the center of salary payment. Many workers earn less than they deserve” he stated.