GAAM Calls On Transition Team To Halt Payment Of Ex- gratia to Aggrieved 128 MMDCEs Over Poor Treatment of Assembly Members

 

The Ghana Association of Assembly Members (GAAM) has made a bold statement, declaring that 128 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) demanding prompt payment of end-of-service benefits do not deserve such payment due to their poor treatment of assembly members. According to GAAM, the MMDCEs have demonstrated a lack of respect and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of assembly members. This poor treatment has led GAAM to call for the non-payment of ex-gratia payments, which are typically given to outgoing officials as a token of appreciation for their service.

Led by GAAM’s National President, Hon. Frank Nelson Ackah, he emphasized that assembly members deserve fair compensation for their work, citing the non-payment of ex-gratia for outgoing assembly members as a painful moment they are going through. Ackah criticized the inadequate ex-gratia proposed by some assemblies, stating that it is insufficient to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of members who have served their electoral areas for four years or more.

He asserted that the MMDCEs, who are calling for payment of end-of-service benefits, have refused to even consider the plight of hardworking assembly members. Ackah questioned why the MMDCEs should be given ex-gratia after failing to propose or honor the need of the assembly members when they were in office. He said it’s needless the call from these MMDCEs for payment of ex gratia.

The issue of ex-gratia payments has been contentious, with some arguing it is a necessary gesture of appreciation for outgoing officials, while others see it as a wasteful expense.

GAAM’s stance highlights the need for fair treatment and compensation for assembly members, who play a crucial role in local governance. It remains to be seen how this issue will unfold, but one thing is clear: GAAM is determined to fight for the rights and dignity of assembly members. Moreover, GAAM deems that equal treatment should be given to outgoing assembly members, or the transition team should avoid paying a dime to these MMDCEs.

“We are calling on the transition team to avoid paying anything to these 128 MMDCEs who are calling for end-of-service benefits, simply because of how these MMDCEs maltreated assembly members during their stay in office,” Mr. Ackah Nelson said. “We see it as a cheat and disrespect to the assembly members if the transition team pays anything to these MMDCEs. Equal treatment must be given to the assembly members too, or there shouldn’t be any payment”.