- Bagbin criticizes payments of ex-gratia have not effectively curbed corruption as intended
- Bagbin advocates for the amendment of Article 71 of the Constitution to abolish ex-gratia payments
- Bagbin aligns himself with voices calling for the removal of Article 71
Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, reiterates his stance against ex-gratia payments for Article 71 officeholders, arguing they no longer fulfill their original purpose of combating corruption.
Speaking at a public forum in Kumasi commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Fourth Republican Parliament, Bagbin stressed that these payments were initially intended to ensure financial security for public servants and political officeholders after leaving office, thereby encouraging them to prioritize public interests.
However, he acknowledged that in practice, they have failed to curb corruption effectively.
Bagbin expressed support for amending Article 71 of the Constitution to eliminate ex-gratia payments, describing them as unnecessary in the current governance context. He emphasized that these payments, originally envisioned to support officials and deter corruption, have not lived up to expectations.
“The concept was to assure them, because of the importance of the positions they hold and the decisions they make on behalf of the public, that their needs would be met after leaving office,” Bagbin explained. “Unfortunately, in reality, it has not achieved this goal.”
He concluded by affirming his alignment with those advocating for the removal of Article 71 from the Constitution, asserting that it no longer serves its intended purpose and should be discontinued.
