Kojo Bonsu, a former mayor of Kumasi, has sided with Togbe Afede XIV, the paramount chief of the Asogli State, in calling for the return of GHc365,392, which was given to him as an ex-gratia payment for sitting on the Council of State.
In order to safeguard the public coffers, the former mayor claimed that it is time to investigate ex-gratia payments made to Council of State members and holders of Article 71 Offices.
Because Ghanaians are upset about the scenario, particularly because the aforementioned recipients earned "wages" for their services done, he recommended a potential decrease of the enormous sums that are being given to them as end-of-service rewards.
I concur with Togbe Afede; he is correct. He ought to return it if he thinks the ex-gratia is a significant amount. He thinks in that way. "If he has returned it, he is right [and] I support it," said the guest on Angel FM's Anopa Bofo Morning Show. "Nobody compelled him to do so.
Mr. Kojo Bonsu said when asked if the Constitution should be examined, particularly the section on ex-gratia, "What I'm saying is that it's a constitutional requirement therefore let's evaluate it and slice it down.
People become offended when they hear these enormous sums [as ex-gratia], therefore let's talk about it and realise that reducing it will help Ghana.
Recently, Togbe Afede returned GHC365,000 that had been paid to him as an ex-gratia, citing the amount as being "inappropriate".
"I didn't believe, as is being suggested, that the money was intended to trap me. I think everyone who sat on the Council of State received payment. Although I was paid a monthly wage and had access to other benefits for my brief, essentially part-time employment, I felt that the additional money was wrong. I was thus really uncomfortable with it, Togbe Afede explained.
"I wish to clarify that my refusal of the payment was consistent with my overall abhorrence of the payment of enormous Ex Gratia and other absurd rewards to persons who have freely offered to help our poor country," he continued.