President John Mahama Mahama has disclosed that he and his appointees "till date" have carried on with their decision to cut their salary by 10% to "support efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality."

In a letter Titled ‘The Homestretch",President spoke about how humbled he is to have been given the opportunity to govern and thanked Ghanaians for the support.

President John Dramani Mahama in November 2013  announced a 10% cut in his monthly salary. The salary cut also affected  Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, the Chief of Staff and other political staff of the Office of the President.

An according to the letter 7th November,2016, the president and his appointees have kept on with that voluntary decision which was influenced by the Ho Forum on the Single Spine Salary Structure.

"In our difficult moments, my government has shown sensitivity to the plight of the Ghanaian. Till this date, my appointees and I have taken pay cuts to support efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality", the letter read.

A report from The Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group of the World Health Organisation indicated that Ghana’s maternal mortality rate in 2014 went up from 350 per 100,000 live births to 380.

The report also indicated that in 2013, an estimated 3,100 women died from pregnancy related causes and that figures from the District Health Management Information System revealed that 1,012 pregnant women died in 2013 from pregnancy related issues across the country.

The 10% pay cut which affected both ministers and their deputies was   be used for the construction of Community Health Program and Service (CHPS) compounds in the rural communities to help in the efforts to curb maternal mortality and promote neo-natal health care, a decision which was described as  "populist and cosmetic" by the opposition.

But 3 years on,according to THE HOMESTRETCH, the President and his appointees have kept faith in that decision to fight maternal and child mortality.

The letter, which is repleted with promises and inspirational words, also has the president assuring Ghanians of his utmost commitment to peace as the country heads to the polls in 30 days time.

"I assure you of utmost security and peace of mind before, during and after the elections. Let’s continue to work hard to cross the finish line first, and continue our work towards transforming our dear nation Ghana.Stay blessed" it stated.

By:Fiifi Abdul Malik @fiifialmaestro on twitter.

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