The Presiding Member(PM) of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly(KMA),Hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong,has revealed that majority of Ghanaian electorates are yearning for political party and Presidential candidate who is committed to scrap or cancel End of Service Benefits(ESB )popularly refers to as ex-gratia for Article 71 office holders.

Hon.Patrick Kwame Frimpong

According to him,many Ghanaians see ex-gratia as one of the biggest unfair treatment to civil and public servants in favor of article 71 office holders .

That it is also contributor to Ghana’s economic woes hence many voters clamoring for committed political party and Presidential candidate ready to scrap it when given the nod in the forthcoming 2024 general elections.

He said “majority of civil and public servants worked for 30 to 40 years and go on pension with merger pension payment whilst article 71 office holders are given huge ex-gratia after serving as MP or DCE for just four years .

Hon.Frimpong who doubles as Assembly member for Krofrom East electoral area made the revelation in an interview with Journalists on the proposed constitutional amendment.

KMA PM who is also former NPP first vice chairman for Manhyia North and 2nd vice chairman for Manyia south respectively said Ghanaians are therefore ready and prepare to hear from various political parties and Presidential candidate hopefuls campaign message on some of this issues to decide in 2024.

He said former President J.A.Kufour and late Prof.Atta Mills started working on plans to resource the Assembly members for a effective decentralization process but both former President John Mahama and the incumbent President, Nana Akufo-Addo have not done enough to see to payment of Assembly members to help bring governance to the door steps of Ghanaians.

“Every one expects effective local government system and effective Assembly members to work 24 hours but no provision has been made for their salary under the 1992 Constitution.

And Many Ghanaians expect campaign messages tailored around such issues to decide in 2024 polls.
He said aside the concerns of ex-gratia, the electorarates are also looking for a Presidential candidate who has good plan and policy to address the appointment of Majority of Members of Parliament(MPs) as Ministers of State.

According to him,when this practice is abolished it would reduce the current acrimony in the various political parties internal elections.
He said one worrying issue is also about appointment of too many deputy Ministers for various Ministries but when the substantive Ministers are not available or resigned, another substantive Minister is rather appointed to act even though, there are deputy Ministers !What then is the essence of deputy Ministers appointment?

These among other pressing issues Ghanaians are expecting to hear from various political parties and their presidential hopefuls ahead of 2024 general elections.
“I strongly believed that any serious presidential candidate with well designed campaign message on how to address aforementioned issues is likely to win the hearts of majority of Ghanaians in 2024 general elections”,he explained . Source: tntnewspapergh.com