Former NDC Deputy General Secretary Samuel Koku Anyidoho has expressed doubts about former President John Dramani Mahama’s vow to eliminate ex-gratia payments upon his return to office.

According to him, the former president has lost credibility because he had the ability to end ex-gratia while in office but did not.

He further said that the problem of ex-gratia might have been avoided if Mahama had followed the advice of the Constitutional Review Commission’s (CRC) White Paper on emoluments of Article 71 holders left behind by the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

“As the Founder and CEO of the Atta-Mills Institute, I have consistently said that we must implement the White Paper of the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) that was set up by President Atta-Mills. Is it not a shame that, someone ignored the White Paper, & is now insulting?

“I don’t trust John Mahama if he says he will scrap ex-gratia. Why did he not implement the CRC White Paper on Emoluments? I am prepared to debate John Dramani Mahama on how he betrayed President Atta-Mills. I don’t trust him and will never trust him.” he said.

On March 2, 2023, former president John Dramani Mahama launched his 2024 presidential run with several fascinating promises for Ghana. Many supporters of the National Democratic Congress and executives met at the well-organized event hosted at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta Region (NDC).

In his first campaign address for the 2024 elections, John Mahama said he would end ex gratia payments to politicians serving under Article 71. In his criticism of ex gratia payments, Mahama echoed the sentiments of prominent Ghanaian civil society organizations.

“We will continue and bring to conclusion the constitution review process began by President Atta Mills including a review of the controversial article 71 to reduce the number of office holders, and remove the disparities in privileges and emoluments vis a vis the public and civil service. The payment of ex-gratia to members of the executive under Article 71 will be scrapped,” he said.

Source – Tru News Report

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