Scrap ex gratia payment to MPs – Presidential Staffer

A presidential staffer Ibrahim Adjei has called for the cancellation of the end of term emolument paid to members of Ghana’s Parliament.

According to him, members of the legislature do not deserve the package until same arrangement is made for teachers, nurses and other workers in the public sector.

By Ghana’s laws, Parliament and the Executive have the mandate to review each other’s ex gratia.

In 2012, Ghanaians paid GH¢47million as ex gratia to the 230 MPs who served in the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

Members of Parliament who lost their seats that year took home GH¢311,000 each, while those who retained their seats received GH¢276,000 each.

Speaking to Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Friday, Mr. Adjei said the concept of ex gratia is wrong and must be stopped.

“This ex gratia for MPs should be scrapped. Until you give doctors, nurses and teachers the same thing, then MPs don’t deserve any ex gratia too,” he said.

Ex-gratia is payment made to an individual by an organization, government, or insurer for damages or claims, but which does not involve the admittance of liability by the party making the payment. An ex- gratia payment is considered voluntary, as the party making the payment is not obligated to compensate the individual.