I will scrap ex-gratia payments if I win 2024 polls – Mahama

Former President John Mahama has promised to scrap the payment of ex-gratia to members of the executive and other officials if given the nod to be president in 2024.

The former president made this statement during his campaign launch to become the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in the Volta Region on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

Mr Mahama said he would take the necessary steps to scrap the payment when he assumes power because ex-gratia places a huge financial strain on the country’s purse.

“The payment of ex-gratia to members of the executive under article 71 will be scrapped. The necessary constitutional steps to do this will start in earnest in 2025. We will also persuade members of the other arms of government to accept its removal,” Mr Maham stated.

He also promised to restore the trust in state institutions by addressing “issues pertaining to the exercise of powers of the president, proper separation of powers, strengthening of parliament, restoring the independence of the judiciary, independent and quasi-state institutions and depoliticising them”.

“These will take the centre stage of the new administration,” he added.

The former president also criticised the current administration for increasing economic hardships in the country.

“The cluelessness and the harrowing dismantling of our progress by the NPP government has damaged and killed many bright dreams of the country.”

“This government has been clueless and, in many ways, callous. We are saddled with debt, and every rating agency has downgraded us. Inflation has gone off the roof, sending people into abject poverty,” Mr Mahama told a cheering crowd at the Cedi Auditorium of the University of Health and Allied Sciences.

The former president also criticised the government’s domestic debt restructuring programme, which he said had the potential to wipe out the wealth created by the middle class.

“Our middle class also risks being wiped out due to a reckless debt restructuring programme. Who would have thought Ghana would have come to a juncture like this when our economy has been destroyed by the incompetent Akufo-Addo and his vice, Bawumia?”

Mr Mahama believes the Akufo-Addo government has led the country into an economic mess due to its refusal to swallow its pride and take responsibility for its failings.