Former President John Dramani Mahama has promised to review the 1992 constitution and address the payment of ex-gratia to some state officials if re-elected in 2024.

John Mahama stated that in order to minimise government expenditure, he would decrease the amount of money the state pays to some Article 71 holders in

his next administration.

Speaking at the 2022 Te Za (Yam Festival) of the Asogli State on Monday, September 12, said, “I want to assure all Ghanaians that the next NDC administration will revisit the act, especially the matter of Article 71 emoluments, especially the issue of ex-gratia payment and the size of government to cut down on expenditure.”

Article 71 of the 1992 constitution states that salaries and allowances payable, and the facilities available, to the President, the Vice-President, the chairman and the other members of the Council of

State; Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers, being expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund, shall be determined by Parliament on the recommendations of the committee (of not more than five persons appointed by the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State.)

The “salaries” in question include allowances, facilities, and privileges, as well as retirement benefits or awards.

The payment of ex-gratia to former statesmen has come under heavy criticism in recent times as the country faces intense economic challenges.

For most Ghanaians and the Paramount Chief and Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV, it is unwise for such spending to continue in recent times when the government is supposed to cut back on its expenditure, as it currently spends more than it generates.

It will be recalled that Togbe Afede XIV made headlines when he turned down more than 365,000 as allowance for serving on the Council of State from 2017 to 2020.

“I returned the ex-gratia amount I was given not because I didn’t need the money. In fact, at that particular time, I needed money very badly to meet various family obligations. But I truly believe that money was not deserved,” Togbe Afede XIV said at a youth empowerment forum and anti-corruption day celebration ahead of this year’s Asogli Yam Festival.

The Paramount Chief was lauded for his actions by Ghanaians on social media, as well as former statesman John Mahama.

“As people in authority, we must not massage the truth but we must be bold always and fearless in speaking the truth, and I must say one traditional leader who has always spoken the truth no matter who is hurt is Togbe Afede XIV,” the former President said.

According to Togbe Afede XIV, anyone who voluntarily gives his time to work for the country should be considerate and not demand ex-gratia “because our country is very poor.”

Ghana has reached out to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to obtain an economic program to address its economic challenges.

It is expected that the government. and the Fund reaches an agreement by the end of the year. Ghana has requested a USD 3 billion from the IMF.

Source: The Independent Ghana