Mahama Cannot Review Ex-Gratia Payments; He Loves Them – NPP

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says former President John Dramani Mahama’s promise to tackle issues of ex-gratia payments cannot be taken seriously.

The party said he failed Ghanaians on the matter when he was the president of the country.

Addressing a news conference in Accra on Wednesday, September 14, Mr Richard Ahiagbah, Director of Communications for the NPP, said the former president loves the benefits.

Mr Ahiagbah questioned why Mr Mahama did not review the law during his tenure as President, accusing him of failing to implement the recommendations of the Constitution Review Commission in 2012.  

“What former President Mahama is saying today cannot be taken seriously because he has already failed Ghanaians on this matter,” he said.

He thus challenged Mr Mahama to return all benefits he had received under Article 71 to justify his “seriousness” about reviewing the law. 

Meanwhile, he also denied claims by former President Mahama that the Akufo-Addo government has denied him his benefits as a former statesman.

“The former President has told blatant lies. We have assembled relevant documents that prove that the former President lied and that, contrary to his claims, he has indeed been enjoying privileges due him.”

“We did not want to share these private documents with the public, but they are already out there, so we will share them.”

Former President John Mahama has assured Ghanaian that the next National Democratic Congress (NDC) government will review the payment of ex-gratia.

Mr. Mahama said this will be in amendment of of the 1992 constitution. 

He said other issues relating to Article 71 emoluments will not be left out. 

Speaking at a meeting with NDC lawyers on Sunday, August 28, the former President assured that if the NDC is given the nod in 2024, the review process of the constitution which commenced during the period of late President Atta-Mills will continue.

But the ruling party said this promise should be disregard and ignore in its entirety.