Bentil expressed his disapproval on social media on January 2, 2025, calling for an immediate end to the practice, which he sees as an unjustifiable financial burden on Ghana’s already strained economy.
In his post, Bentil vehemently criticized the system, urging that this should be the final year ex-gratia payments are discussed or made. He described the practice as “a drain on the country’s coffers” and argued that it is detrimental to the nation’s finances.
This call comes at a time when the Ghanaian Parliament is debating the continuation of ex-gratia payments to holders of Article 71 positions, including Members of Parliament, the President, and other senior government officials.
The ex-gratia system, embedded in the 1992 Constitution, provides lump-sum payments to these public officeholders when they leave office.
While initially designed to provide financial security to officials after their tenure, the system has sparked growing public outcry, especially in light of Ghana’s current economic struggles.
Many Ghanaians consider such payments an unjust reward to officials already earning substantial salaries.
The debate over ex-gratia payments is further fueled by promises from political figures such as President-elect John Dramani Mahama, who has vowed to abolish the practice once he assumes office.
Mahama has criticized the payments, labeling them as unsustainable and unfair to the Ghanaian taxpayer.