When he becomes president again, former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to end the retirement benefit known as ex-gratia that Executive officeholders receive under Article 71.
In the first year of his administration, he claims, his government will begin constitutional processes to end ex-gratia.
The former president made these remarks on Thursday at the start of his campaign to be the NDC’s flagbearer. He also said that his government would work to get rid of ex-gratia benefits for appointees in other branches of government.
Article 71’s provision for ex-gratia payments to executive members will be eliminated. Additionally, in 2025, the necessary constitutional steps to eliminate that payment will begin in earnest.
He added, “We will also begin the process of persuading the other arms of government other than the executive to accept the removal of this ex-gratia payment.” He was referring to the executive branch.
Additionally, Mahama stated that his administration would concentrate on ensuring the separation of powers among the three branches of government and reducing the president’s authority: the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
In addition, he stated that he would lead the smallest government Ghana has ever seen in the Fourth Republic, with no more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers.
In addition, the former president stated that his administration would prioritize finishing projects that had been abandoned rather than beginning new ones.
