A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Yaw Dabie Appiah Mensah, has called for the scrapping of the ex-gratia paid to Members of Parliament (MPs) after every four years.
According to him, the present economic state of the nation amidst surging cases of Coronavirus in the country requires the immediate scrapping of the huge emoluments paid to the MPs.
“Because they are part of Article 71 office holders whose salaries and emoluments are determined by committees set up by the President, and are awarded huge lump sum as ex-gratia after every general election every four years.”
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Odumase in the Sunyani West Municipality, the former Organizer of the NPP, Mr Appiah, indicated that governments around the world were spending hugely to manage and contain the Covid-19 and Ghana could not over-rely on them for assistance to flatten her Covid-19 curve.
"It's urgent the nation considers realistic approach and generate more funds locally to tackle the Covid-19 proactively and to make Ghana safe for her people. I strongly believe it is among this and other factors that President Nana Akufo-Addo has reduce his ministerial portfolio to save the national coffers."
You believe with me we are not in normal times and so everybody must sacrifice towards the nationwide fight against this Covid-19, which has potential to devastate and drain the national economy.
If we don't take radical measures the nation will go into huge economic crisis which would be extremely difficult to repair", Mr Appiah added.
The former NPP Organiser stressed that the Covid-19 had had huge impact on the nation and thereby worsened the socio-economic conditions of many Ghanaians who were currently living in abject poverty, saying it would be unfair and unreasonable for the nation to continue to pay the MPs ex-gratia while their constituents suffered economic hardships.
"I am not painting the picture that the MPs and other Article 71 office holders don't deserve the ex-gratia, but my brother you will agree with me that President Akufo-Addo is struggling and spending too much to contain this Covid-19 and at the same time to meet the development needs of the people.
"I think the MPs must sacrifice, if they are truly representing the interest of their constituents in parliament. Other than that I will not feel their nationalistic ideals for nation," Mr Appiah stated.
"But it's also disheartening the ordinary Ghanaian struggles on the street just to afford three square meals, while the MPs who must represent their interest go home every four years with this whopping sum of money. This is unfair and Speaker Bagbin and the house must do something about that," Mr Appiah added.
Latest Stories
-
Investors don’t find Ghana’s oil field or upstream sector attractive anymore – Nana Amoasi VII
47 mins -
We’ll not accept these unscrupulous acts – Kwesi Kwarteng on alleged distribution of expired rice to SHSs
57 mins -
Frimpong Manso wins NASCO Coach of the Month award for October
2 hours -
Kotoko’s Albert Amoah wins NASCO POTM for October
2 hours -
Paradox of Elitism: Why Ghana’s brightest minds fall short in leadership
2 hours -
EPA, UNESCO to advance plan to guard Lake Bosomtwe from further degradation
2 hours -
The Great Exodus: How Ghana’s best and brightest are trapped in a cycle of modern slavery
2 hours -
Ronica Sings returns with ‘Covenant Keeping God’
2 hours -
The Uneven Path Toward Cheaper Digital Remittances: A Focus on Ghana
2 hours -
Ogagus nominated A&R of the Year at the 2024 Beatz Awards
3 hours -
Is Ghana on the brink of becoming a failed state?
3 hours -
There is no order against The Speaker – Thaddeus Sory
3 hours -
I have observed his good and unifying conduct – Kufuor on Bawumia
3 hours -
Bawumia’s understanding of technology and global trends is what we need as a country – Kufuor
3 hours -
It is the way to go – ex-President Kufuor hails Bawumia railway development plan
3 hours