Former President John Dramani Mahama has promised to deal conclusively with issues concerning payment of ex-gratia should the National Democratic Congress (NDC) win the next presidential elections in 2024.
He says the next NDC government will commit itself to reviewing the 1992 Ghanaian Constitution to find lasting solutions to the lingering issue of emoluments for Article 71 office holders.
“The next NDC government must commit to the implementation of the review of the 1992 constitution, which was begun by President John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory.
“This review should among others aim at reforming the judiciary and tackle head-on issues on ex-gratia payment and other matters of Article 71 emoluments, ” he said.
Mr Mahama made these remarks at the 2nd Annual Lawyers Conference of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) last Sunday, August 8, 2022.
The issue of payment of ex-gratia has always been met with disdain from the ordinary Ghanaian with many questioning its rational and sustainability considering the country’s limited resources and the quantum of challenges it has to resolve.
Few months ago, there was a huge uproar in the country concerning the issue of ex-gratia after the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State. Togbe Afede XIV, a former Council of State member returned monies paid to him as his emoluments for his service to the country.
“I returned the ex-gratia money not because I did not need money. In fact, at that particular time, I needed money very badly to meet various family obligations.
“But I truly believe that the money was not deserved. It was inappropriate for what I will emphasize again was essentially part time work”, he stated.
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