Demonstrations and petitions to key stakeholders, according to the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) – Ghana, are the only way citizens can stop the massive payment of ex-gratia to politicians.
This follows the announcement of Togbe Afede XIV, the Asogli State's Paramount Chief and Agbogbomefia, in a statement dated June 6, 2022, that he has returned GHS365,392.67 granted to him as ex-gratia by the state for sitting on the Council of State between 2017 and 2020.
He believes it is inappropriate to be paid ex-gratia because he was paid monthly for his service on the Council of State.
Togbui Afede also indicated that he is opposed to ex-gratia payments and has been seeking for methods to return the money since being alerted that it had been made.
Paul Aborampah Mensah, Senior Programs Officer at CDD-Ghana, spoke to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Tuesday and praised Torgbui Afede for his initiative, urging more recipients to follow in his footsteps.
"Especially our Parliamentarians who serve for a lot of years and receive these ex-gratia on a regular basis." It's something I believe we should revisit as a country. A country that has failed to address the demands of its citizens, and I cannot compare it to any industrialized country that has done so.
So I applaud Torgbui's effort, and I think our leaders will take notice and act appropriately," said the CDD Policy Lead.
"It might be initiated by consensus, advocacy, demand protests, citizen petitions," he said, explaining that policy formation is approached from several perspectives. It is derived from scientific data, consensus, appeals, and a variety of other sources.
"So, as citizens, if we mobilize ourselves and commit to demand it, we can achieve that." Of course, Parliament is there for us, and the people who elected it, as well as all of the leaders we elect, are expected to serve our interests.
They most likely aren't aware of the error they're doing. As citizens, we must unite in one form, 'fight for it,' demand for it, and call for it."
Mr. Abrompa went on to suggest that elections aren't the only way to hold officials accountable, and that "everyone will say wait and see for the next four years, I won't vote."