The Center for Democratic Development (CDD) \u2013 Ghana says the only way citizens can halt the huge payment of ex-gratia to politicians is through demonstrations and petitions to relevant stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This comes on the back of the Paramount Chief and the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV in a statement dated June 6, 2022, disclosed that he has returned GHS365,392.67 paid to him as ex-gratia by the state for serving on the Council of State between 2017 and 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to him, he does not think it is appropriate to be paid ex-gratia since he was paid monthly for serving on the Council of State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Togbui Afede further stated that he is against the payment of ex-gratia and has been looking for ways to return the money when he was notified that it had been paid to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Tuesday, the Senior Programs Officer at CDD-Ghana, Paul Aborampah Mensah commended Torgbui Afede for the move and urged others beneficiaries to emulate him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEspecially our Parliamentarians who serve consequently for a number of years and continuously receive these ex-gratia. To me it\u2019s something we need to look at again as a country. A country that has not been able to meet the needs of the people and I can\u2019t also compare it to any developed country that does that. So I commend Torgbui\u2019s gesture and I believe our leaders are going to take note of that and act accordingly,\u201d the CDD Policy Lead stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He indicated that for such a norm to be stopped \u201cIt could be triggered by consensus, advocacy, demand demonstrations, petitions from citizens, you see policy development is taken from different angles. It is taken from research data, it\u2019s taken by consensus, appeals and taken by so many forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo if we mobilize ourselves, if we resolve to demand it we can do that as citizens. Of course Parliament is there for us and who elected Parliament to be there and all the leaders that we put in place are expected to serve our interest. Probably they have not realized the mistake they are making. We need to as citizens mobilize ourselves in one form, \u2018fight for it\u2019 demand for it, call for it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Abrompa further stated that elections are not the only form to use in demanding accountability from leaders, \u201cso everybody will say wait and see the next four years I will not vote.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n