Article 71 of the 1992 constitution, titled "Determination of Certain Emoluments," states the following:
ADVERTISEMENT
Retirement package for Article 71 office holders: Good or bad?
The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (1992) establishes a particular class of public officers in Article 70 and outlines their terms and conditions of office in Article 71 officeholders, which has consistently sparked public debate.
Nana Addo with Mahamudu Bawumia
Recommended articles
The salaries, allowances, facilities, and privileges for:
(a) the Speaker, Deputy Speakers, and Members of Parliament;
(b) the Chief Justice, other Justices of the Superior Court of Judicature;
ADVERTISEMENT
(c) the Auditor-General, the Chairman, Deputy Chairmen of the Electoral Commission, the Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice and Deputies, and the District Assemblies Common Fund Administrator;
(d) the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and other members of:
(i) a National Council for Higher Education;
(ii) the Public Services Commission;
(iii) the National Media Commission;
ADVERTISEMENT
(iv) the Lands Commission;
(v) the National Commission for Civic Education;
being expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund, shall be determined by the President upon the recommendations of a committee of not more than five persons appointed by the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State.
The salaries, allowances, and facilities for the President, Vice-President, chairman, and other members of the Council of State; Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers, being expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund, shall be determined by Parliament upon the recommendations of the committee referred to in clause (1) of this article.
Nana Addo calls for review of Article 71
ADVERTISEMENT
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in August last year, called for a review of the provisions (benefits) of Article 71 office holders by the newly constituted Emoluments Committee.
He believed it would be prudent for the committee to critically review the work of previous Emolument Committees appointed by past Presidents and offer recommendations to address concerns.
Mahama set up committee on Article 71
In November 2015, former President John Mahama performed the Constitutional ritual of constituting a committee to review the emoluments of Article 71 class of public sector workers.
The Committee had five members and was chaired by Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Committee presented its report in September 2016. Given that the elections were just around the corner and politicians including the President, were crisscrossing the country canvassing for votes, the report did not receive much attention.
He called for closer collaboration between labour and government to work push for the reforms to abolish ex-gratia for Article 71 officeholders.
He explained that abolishment will pave way for a more efficient independent commission that will be fair to all workers notwithstanding their categories.
He said the state cannot continue to pay the current salaries for Article 71 officeholders due to the pressure on the public purse.
MPs raise concerns over conditions of service
ADVERTISEMENT
However, Members of Parliament (MPs) have recently expressed concerns regarding their compensation and working conditions, particularly in relation to Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution.
Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin proposed the formation of an ad hoc committee to reassess the conditions of service for both current and former MPs.
However, this request was denied by the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, who clarified that the matter had already been delegated to the House Committee for consideration.
In the preceding week, members of both the Majority and Minority sides in Parliament raised concerns over the absence of comprehensive insurance schemes for MPs post-tenure.
They emphasized the need for health coverage beyond ex-gratia payments, especially considering the health challenges many MPs face after prolonged periods of intense work pressure.
ADVERTISEMENT
For the purposes of this article, and unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, “salaries” include allowances, facilities, and privileges, as well as retiring benefits or awards.
Ghanaians want to know if Article 71 office holders truly deserve ex-gratia after serving their term. Therefore, the question arises: Is the payment of ex-gratia good or bad?
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
President Akufo-Addo commissions 15MW Solar Power Plant in Kaleo
Despite $40 million in my account, MBA lecturers still failed me - McDan recounts
You were also accused of recruiting NDC members to the Commission – EC replies Mahama
Citizens offered free beer, taxi rides, health check-ups to boost voter turnout
Group hints at organizing Dumsor Vigil in Accra over erratic power cuts
Parents will soon beg for their children to enrol in public basic schools -Dr Osei- Adutwum
Government rebrands public basic schools, set to change brown and yellow uniforms
I won’t apologize for ECG Manager's arrest – Ashanti Regional Minister
