Chief Justice nominee, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has indicated that the payment of ex-gratia to former government officials does not include those in the Judiciary.

Appearing before Parliament's Appointments Committee on Friday, May 26, 2023, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo explained that it is the doing of the law to ensure the independence of the Judiciary.

“We continue in office, we don’t leave office until you retire. We don’t have a cycle, and therefore, the discussion of ex-gratia is not applicable to us.

“This specific provision, where our names [judges] are mentioned, how our salaries are set under Article 71, it’s a committee, a presidential committee that does that work. And the framers of the Constitution thought that, that was the appropriate thing to keep us independent and we are not the only persons subject to it. It’s an entrenched provision and can only be changed by a very elaborate position.

"It’s an entrenched provision and can only be changed by a very elaborate position," she however added.

Her submission on ex-gratia comes at a time when some Ghanaians have strengthened their calls for the removal of ex-gratia as Ghana battles an economic crisis.

Wading into the conversation, former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to cease the payment of ex-gratia to former government officers (Article 71 holders) in his next government.

Speaking at the University of Development Studies, Tamale on Monday, May 15, he asked Ghanaians to hold him to his promise.

“I am committed to operating an effective government with not more than sixty (60) ministers.

“These ministers together with other appointees of the government will not be entitled to ex-gratia payments after their tenure, as they will commit to that undertaking even before the necessary constitutional amendments, including a review of the controversial Article 71.”

But some citizens have come against the former statesman. They claim he has been a beneficiary of the ex-gratia payment regime.

According to former President Mahama, he has never received ex-gratia. He clarified that he receives monthly pension.

My friend Nana Akomea. Really sad what politics can do to a fine mind! I don't take ex-gratia. I receive a monthly pension.— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) May 26, 2023

"My friend Nana Akomea. Really sad what politics can do to a fine mind! I don't take ex-gratia. I receive a monthly pension," he wrote on Twitter today.

Source: The Independent Ghana