A Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana has accused politicians of ‘raping’ the country’s public purse.
According Professor Ransford Gyampo, although politicians collect large sums of money as ex-gratia every four years, the average Ghanaian worker can labour his entire life for only a penny in pension income.
He contended that the ex-gratia paid to politicians is excessive and that something should be done reviewed as soon as possible to save the country’s finances.
He was also of the view that, ex-gratia should be paid to Members of Parliament who have lost their seats, or who are no longer seeking re-election, and not those who have retained theirs.
“It is just not right that MPs take as much as GH₵300,000 as ex- gratia every four years. Meanwhile, an ordinary worker will work his entire life only to receive just a small amount of money as pension.
“Someone in the Parliament since 1992 has been receiving ex-gratia every 4 years. So is there not anyone who will realize that the country is being raped financially?” he quizzed.
