A Promise Unfulfilled: The Ex-Gratia Debate and Mahama's Pledge
A bold promise, a silent year, and a missing piece in the puzzle.
In the lead-up to the 2024 general election, President John Dramani Mahama made a promise that resonated with many Ghanaians: to scrap the retirement benefits, or ex-gratia, of Article 71 officeholders. This pledge, made during his campaign launch for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in March 2023, won over the hearts of his party members and a significant portion of the Ghanaian population.
Mahama declared, "The payment of ex-gratia to members of the executive under Article 71 will be scrapped. We will initiate the constitutional process to abolish this payment, starting in 2025." He further stated, "We will also persuade the other arms of government to accept the removal of this ex-gratia payment." However, a year into his presidency, there has been little progress or discussion on this matter.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), tasked with recommending the processes for removing these retirement benefits, seemed to sidestep the issue in its final report to the president. The CRC, chaired by Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, only recommended that the salaries of Article 71 officeholders be determined by an "Independent Public Emoluments Commission." In their report, they stated, "The Committee recommends an amendment to clauses (1) and (2) of Article 71 to empower the proposed Independent Public Emoluments Commission to determine the salaries, allowances, and privileges of those holding public office, including the President and other listed offices."
And this is the part most people miss... Article 71 (1) and (2) outline the remuneration process for top public officers. While the president determines the salaries of certain officeholders, including the Speaker of Parliament and the Chief Justice, Parliament sets the remuneration for the executive arm of government, including the President and Vice-President. So, the CRC's recommendation to establish an independent commission might not directly address Mahama's promise to scrap ex-gratia.
So, what's the next step? It appears that the proposed amendment to Article 71 might be a key part of the "necessary constitutional steps" Mahama mentioned. However, a clear statement from the government on how they plan to fulfill this promise would provide much-needed clarity and closure. Will Mahama's promise remain just that—a promise? Or will it be a pivotal change in Ghana's political landscape? The debate continues, and we eagerly await further developments.
