John Mahama
Former President John Dramani Mahama has slammed Ghanaians asking him to return the ex-gratia he has received, if truly he will scrapped it as he has promised
But Mr. Mahama in a response says “I have spent the money already and now I am a pensioner, where am I going to get that money to pay back? I am unemployed but they say bring yours to show you have good faith, I have no source of income, and you say I shouldn’t work”.
He continued that “They say the president should not hold the office of profits so you gave it to me, I spent it then you come and say I should refund it, where am I going to refund it from?”
Attack On NPP
He also challenged the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to state their position on ex-gratia payment to Article 71 officeholders rather than criticising his promise to scrap it.
Speaking further on it, he said “I! say we will cancel ex-gratia, if you will cancel it, you too say when you come you will cancel it. But why are you insulting me and saying I should refund mine? Will you cancel it or not cancel it tell the people of Ghana. They say oh bring yours first,” he said.
“They don’t understand the gravity of the situation. I do think that for those of them who speak for NPP, don’t understand the gravity of the situation, but is good for our party,” he added.
Lean Government
Interestingly, Mr. John Dramani Mahama who appears to be putting on a new leaf, said his next NDC government in case he wins will start the constitutional processes to scrap ex-gratia in the first year of his administration.
BY Daniel Bampoe