Ghana's Ex-Gratia Payment Dilemma: Unpaid Politicians Spark Controversy
A financial disparity has emerged in the heart of Ghana's political arena, leaving many questioning the fairness and legality of recent government actions. The Mahama administration has made a surprising move by paying Members of Parliament (MPs) their constitutional emoluments for the 2021-2025 term while withholding similar payments from former executive officials, including the ex-president and vice president.
But here's where it gets controversial: This revelation, brought to light by a Right to Information (RTI) request, has sparked a heated debate. Ghanaian citizen Kofi Asare's RTI application exposed the fact that Parliament had indeed paid MPs and the Speaker, but former executive branch members remain unpaid, even after almost a year of President John Dramani Mahama's tenure.
The response, signed by Camillo Pwamang, Deputy Clerk of the Legislative and Management Services, revealed a puzzling disparity. Parliament claims to have sent the Article 71 emolument determination to the President on January 6, 2025, but they haven't received confirmation from the Ministry of Finance or the Controller and Accountant General's Department regarding payments to the former executive officials.
And this is the part most people miss: The selective payment pattern becomes even more intriguing when considering President Mahama's campaign promise in 2023 to abolish ex gratia payments for executive branch members under Article 71. This raises questions about the administration's commitment to this pledge and the potential use of payment withholding as an unofficial policy shift.
Adding fuel to the fire, the President and the Ministry of Finance have both failed to respond to RTI requests seeking information about the status of these payments, despite legal obligations to do so. The applicant, Kofi Asare, has outlined several grounds for challenging this silence, including constitutional rights and the public's interest in government spending.
The controversy extends beyond this specific case, as Ghana grapples with the broader issue of ex gratia payments to politicians. These substantial sums, paid every four years to public officials, have become a contentious topic, especially amidst the country's economic struggles.
The situation highlights a complex interplay between the executive and legislative branches in determining salaries and benefits for public officeholders. As the debate rages on, one question lingers: Is the Mahama administration's selective payment approach a mere oversight or a calculated move to reshape policy without formal constitutional changes?
What do you think? Is the government's handling of ex-gratia payments fair and transparent? Share your thoughts below, and let's explore the implications together.
