Ken Kuranchie Dares Prez Mahama To Disclose His Ex-Gratia

The Managing Editor of the Daily Searchlight, Ken Kuranchie has called on President John Mahama to reveal the amount of money paid him as ex-gratia to the nation.

 

Ken Kuranchie, contributing in a panel discussion programme on Oman FM Monday, asked the President to be transparent about his payment of ex-gratia.

 

The issue of payment of ex-gratia to government officials, particularly Members of Parliament (MPs), has been rife in Ghana’s political discourse.

 

Several critics have lambasted the government for rushing to meet the demands of the MPs and so, doled out GHC 47 million to all sitting members and those who lost their seats after the general elections last year, with the exception of the additional 45 members of the House.

 

The payments come on the back of numerous protests by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) which has embarked on a strike action following its inability to reach a consensus with the government over their market premium since January 2012, and other industrial actions by some public servants.

 

The newspaper editor speaking in relation to the recent development emphasized that it is high time the President as the first man of the land declared the exact amount he also receives as ex-gratia.

 

“How much has Mr. Dramani Mahama and Naadu collected as ex-gratia. Because he will receive it even though he has not finished serving. For this term, he needs to collect or he will be made to collect or ultimately, he will benefit. He is now rooting for transparency, so he’s been filing his tax returns. Let him tell us the amount of money he’s received; the sum that John Dramani Mahama has received as his ex-gratia,” he demanded.

 

He also condemned the former Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Maxwell Kofi Jumah for making disparaging remarks about public sector workers.

 

To him, his (Kofi Jumah) comments were not in good taste and so, it was unnecessary for him to compare the work of MPs to that of the public servants.

 

Hon. Maxwell Kofi Jumah a couple of days ago denigrated the work of teachers, warning them to stop clamouring about their certificates since they play second fiddle to Parliamentarians in the country.

 

He has however rendered an apology to the teachers.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana