Former Ghanaian President, John Mahama, has sparked widespread conversation after suggesting that both official partners and extramarital partners benefit financially within the spending chain that follows contractor payments.
Speaking on how money circulates after contractors are paid, Mahama explained that the economic impact goes beyond formal business transactions and often extends into personal relationships.
“When the contractors get paid, they go and buy a Land Cruiser for themselves, car dealers also benefit,” he said.
He further argued that a portion of that money is often redistributed within personal circles, including spouses and other romantic partners.
“And even their spouses, the wives, and the side chicks also benefit. Because when they are paid and they get something, they give their wives and side chicks, you know, some of the money,” he added.
Mahama noted that once these recipients receive money, it quickly enters everyday consumption patterns. According to him, the funds are spent on lifestyle and personal services, indirectly supporting small businesses across different sectors.
He pointed to industries such as fashion, hairdressing, jewelry, and accessories as key beneficiaries of this informal financial flow, stressing that such spending contributes to keeping parts of the economy active.
His comments have since triggered mixed reactions online, with some interpreting them as an illustration of how informal financial networks sustain commerce, while others debate the social implications of the example he used.