How the $25m ex-gratia money was shared

As Ghanaians were still recovering from the shock resulting from the knowledge of how much ex-gratia former public holders including ex-presidents were to be paid by the state, and assurances were given that the package would be reviewed, parts of the monies have been paid surreptitiously.

It is now known that a member of the Finance Subcommittee of the Government Transitional Team, Mr. Moses Asaga has approved the payment of the controversial package for former President Kufuor, some other public office holders and MPs.

Reports in the Daily Graphic issue of Saturday February 7, 2009 say even though, a former Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Kwabena Dufuor was a member and an Economist, Togbe Afede XVI was chairman of the committee, Mr. Asaga did not consult any of them before he approved the payment.

It has also been reported, even though, government did not give any reason, that his ministerial appointment was withdrawn as a result of that action. Mr. Asaga was among the nominees named for ministerial appointments due to be vetted at the ongoing vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee. The MP for Nabdam Constituency was nominated for the Water Resources, Works and Housing Ministry.

The $25 million was said to be paid into the accounts of former President Kufuor and other public office holders.

President Kufuor reportedly received GH¢293,000 to cover four years from 2005 to 2009, and each of the 230 MPs was entitled to GH¢82,000.

While Ghanaians generally accept the principle of rewarding former public office holders, they did not approve of the packages, because in the views of most Ghanaians, the amounts involved were too much for a small economy like Ghana’s.