Former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Deputy General Secretary Koku Anyidoho has said he does not believe former President John Mahama’s promise to abolish ex gratia.
He asked Mr Mahama to answer why he did not implement the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) white paper on salaries when he was president.
Koku Anyidoho says Mr Mahama is “ready for a debate on how he betrayed President Atta-Mills”. I don’t trust him and never will. “
“You think we’re all fools so you can lie to us by saying you’ll cancel the ex-gratia. Prove you’re honest by repaying what you enjoy, they say; you respond with insults by saying we’re “silly”. We hear you, Mr. Dead Goat.” He tweeted.
“I don’t believe John Mahama if he says he will abolish ex-gratia. Why didn’t he implement the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) white paper? I am open to a debate on how John Dramani Mahama betrayed President Atta-Mills. I don’t believe him and never will.”
“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) set up by President Atta-Mills. Isn’t it shameful that someone has ignored the White Paper and is now insulting it? I don’t hate anyone oooo: as bold as my conscience allows me. I talk about problems.
“What did he do with the white paper of the Constitution Review Commission set up by Atta-Mills after he became President? He had more than 4 years to make changes and he didn’t! Now what does he want only 4 years to do? He stressed.”
However, Mr Mahama described as silly the comment made by Martin Kepebu, a private legal practitioner, to return all ex gratia paid to him after promising to cancel it.
Addressing supporters of the NDC in the Volta Region on Saturday, March 4, Mr. Mahama said, “When we come into power we will abolish ex gratia for the executive because the president is in charge of the executive, so I said clearly that he can abolish it. It is for the executive but then because you are the leader we will ex gratia ourselves when the common worker does not accept it.” You have to convince the other arms of the government to see that there is no justice in continuing to pay gratia, you have to show by example. If the economy is in crisis, why should we continue to take ex gratia when the rest of the public and civil services are not taking it? So I categorically said we will abolish ex gratia.
“And then someone should know better, the lawyer, he said, I should return all the ex gratia we took before to show Ghanaians, yes, we are serious about repealing it, they don’t know the principle in our constitution. If you pass the legislature today you cannot pass the previous legislature, It doesn’t affect what happened in the past, what he is saying is a bit silly because we have introduced free SHS because it is like saying we should all go and get a refund of our school fees that we have paid in the past. How silly is what he is saying.”
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Mr Martin Kepebu said it made sense to ask Mr Mahama to return the ex gratia he received after he indicated he would cancel the payment if he wins the next election as president.
As a sign of commitment, Mr Keppu said, all payments made to Mr Mahama should be returned.
Speaking TV3 On Saturday, March 4, Mr Kepebu said “Mahama made money when he was president, so he should look within himself and say ‘I will return it’. They have to give it back because, in these national elections, they are going to make hundreds of millions of dollars, where is that going to come from? They earned money so the exgratia was small. So he has to tell people ‘I’m older, I think I’m smarter, I’m returning the money’, he has to return it.
“You know Don Kwaku Yeboh of Peace FM, I think he is the main campaigner to return Mr. Mahama’s ex gratia. When I saw it I said yes it is understood. Mr. Mahama should introspect and return it as a sign of good faith, I am committed once I return the money.” Number two, the correction they should put in the writings.
Mr Mahama promised to abolish ex gratia when he agreed to lead this country again.
Mr Dramani Mahama announced that “ex gratia payment to executive members will be abolished” as he launched his bid to become the 2024 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
“Necessary constitutional steps to take it down will begin in earnest in 2025. We will persuade members of other arms of government to agree to its removal,” he assured.
You think we’re all idiots, so you can lie to us by saying you’ll cancel the ex-gratia. Prove you’re honest by paying back what you enjoy, they say; You respond with insults by saying we are “silly”. Yooo you hear Mr. Dead Goat 🐐
— Samuel Koku Anyidoho🇬🇭 (@KokuAnyidoho) March 6, 2023
Source: 3news.com
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