- Bagbin calls for the abolition of ex-gratia payments to Article 71 officeholders.
- Ex-gratia payments were meant to combat corruption, but Bagbin says they've deviated from this purpose.
- He supports amending Article 71 to abolish these payments, which he considers unnecessary.
- Bagbin's stance sparks a national debate on the topic.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has renewed his call for the abolition of ex-gratia payments to Article 71 officeholders, citing a deviation from its original intent. Speaking at a public forum in Kumasi, Bagbin emphasized that the initial purpose of ex-gratia payments was to discourage corruption by ensuring the welfare of public servants and political officeholders after leaving office. However, he acknowledged that this has not been the case, and the payments have instead become a source of controversy.
Bagbin explained that the concept of ex-gratia was to assure public servants and political officeholders that their needs would be taken care of after leaving office, encouraging them to prioritize the people’s interests over personal gain. He noted that this was intended to combat corruption, but unfortunately, it has not achieved its intended purpose.
The Speaker clarified that ex-gratia payments are not limited to members of parliament but also apply to other categories of public servants and political officeholders, including the auditor general, chairpersons of constitutional commissions, ministers of state, the presidency, and the judiciary.
Bagbin expressed his support for amending Article 71 of the Constitution to abolish ex-gratia payments, which he believes have become unnecessary. He recounted that during his presidential campaign, he promised to amend Article 71 if elected, and he still stands by that promise.
The Speaker’s stance on ex-gratia payments has sparked a national debate, with many Ghanaians expressing mixed opinions on the matter. While some agree with Bagbin that ex-gratia payments have not served their purpose, others argue that they are a necessary incentive for public servants and political officeholders.
Despite the controversy, Bagbin remains resolute in his position, emphasizing that the payments have not effectively curbed corruption. He believes that abolishing ex-gratia payments will help to ensure that public servants and political officeholders prioritize the people’s interests over personal gain.
The fate of ex-gratia payments now hangs in the balance, as Bagbin’s call for abolition gains momentum. As the Speaker of Parliament, his stance carries significant weight, and it remains to be seen how this will play out in the coming days.
Bagbin’s renewed call for the abolition of ex-gratia payments has sparked a national conversation on the matter. While opinions may vary, the Speaker’s commitment to amending Article 71 remains unwavering, and only time will tell if his efforts will yield the desired outcome.
