Participants in a stakeholders conference on the Emoluments and Privileges of Article 71 Office Holders have called for an end to the “class system” that the concept has created in the country.
They, therefore, proposed the scrapping of ex gratia, as well as a review of the timing for the determination of emoluments of Article 71 Office Holders from the last year of the President’s tenure to the first.
Stakeholders conference
The conference was organised by the Presidential Committee on Emoluments in Accra last Tuesday to seek the views and inputs of the various interest groups and institutions on the best way to handle the concerns raised by members of the public on emoluments and benefits for Article 71 office holders.
The Chairperson of the five-member committee, Dr Janet Ampadu-Fofie, said given the public concerns raised about emoluments, benefits and privileges of Article 71 office holders, it was important for all stakeholders to share their insights into the matter within the context of the constitutional imperatives and the socio-economic conditions of the country.
“The committee truly believes that this is a collective assignment for all of us as a people who care deeply about our country,” she said.
Dr Ampadu-Fofie stressed that through collective wisdom and brainstorming, the right decisions could be made on the matter.
“We are counting on everyone to help examine this matter in a non-partisan, dispassionate, logical, fair and reasonable manner within the confines of the 1992 Constitution,” she said.
The committee, which was set up by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on August 30, 2023, is expected to present its report to the Presidency by the end of July, this year.
Constitutional requirement
A member of the committee, Prof. Isaac Osei-Akoto, said the discussions on Article 71 office holders needed to be held bearing in mind that it was an entrenched provision in the 1992 Constitution that had strict rules relating to its removal, cancellation or amendment.
Source: graphic.com.gh
