Features
Time to review payment of ex-gratia to Article 71 office holders
Ex-gratia is a payment made as a favour or forms a sense of moral obligation rather than any legal requirement. This payment is made to compensate for the loss of contractual entitlement. It is made to an individual by an organisation, government, an insurer for damages or claims, but it does not require the admittance of liability by the party making the payment. It is, therefore, a voluntary payment or a gift to the recipient.
Since all payments received in connection with employment are taxable, ex-gratia which also forms part of emoluments, is subjected to tax by government. Since bonus is paid according to the employees’ performance in a company, the Bonus Act, requires that employees are eligible for an annual bonus ranging from eight per cent to 20 per cent of their salary. Ex-gratia, is therefore, an additional payment made by employers out of their goodwill.
CATEGORY OF WORKERS WHO ENJOY EX-GRATIA
One may argue whether an ex-gratia is part of salary paid to workers. It is not and can never be part of workers’ salary. Instead, it is a form of an incentive given by management to worker/employee either as gratitude for his or her extra work or of free will when the company is making a lot of profit.
In Ghana, the only category of workers who benefit from ex-gratia payment is Article 71 office holders made up of the President of the Republic, the Vice President, the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice and other Justices of the Supreme Court of the country. The rest are Parliamentarians, Ministers of State, political appointees and public servants with salaries charged to the Consolidated Fund, but enjoying special Constitutional privileges. These Article 71 office holders already earn between GH¢28, 017.00 (minimum) and GH¢47, 277.00 (maximum) as monthly salaries, according to a research conducted. For instance, the Chief Justice earns GH¢34,146.00, Supreme Court Judge, GH¢33, 270.00, Appeals Court Judge, GH¢31, 519.00 and High Court Judge, GH¢28, 017.00 as monthly salaries.
MODE OF PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA
This ex-gratia is paid according to the positions held by each individual occupying a position in government, and it is paid every four years when a certain political party has served its full tenure. The amount paid to this category of workers occupying executive position, ranges from GH¢366, 340.00 (minimum) to GH¢659, 392.00 (maximum).
It is important to note that our parliamentarians enjoy ex-gratia every four years, regardless of whether they are re-elected or not as “thank you” from the Ghanaian taxpayers. This, means that a member who let’s say has served for 20 years or more, will at least get five times ex-gratia. Records indicate that the longest serving MP during this Fourth Republic who served for 28 years, took seven times ex-gratia entitlement.
VIEWS BY A FINANCIAL CONSULTANT ON MPs EX-GRATIA
Dr Faith Ababio-Twi, Financial Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of FAB Consult, USA, in a recent article on payment of ex-gratia to parliamentarians, dwellt on the purpose of payment of ex-gratia to MPs, explaining that they devoted their time fully to make laws that would benefit the country. However, he said, the issue of absenteeism in parliament was of great concern to the Ghanaian taxpayers whose taxes were being used to pay them. Hear him, “It is an open secret that most MPs absent themselves from parliament to attend to their private businesses. Ex-gratia should not be automatic. It should be given to well deserving MPs not for people who just take up the mantle and do nothing in formulating policies that they swore an oath to undertake”. He said ex-gratia should be structured in a way to eliminate life-time election such as members who are career MPs.
MPs REMAIN UNITED WHEN IT COMES TO BENEFITS
Frankly speaking, how many times do Ghanaians hear that MPs from the opposite sides are divided over payment of allowances and other benefits? When it comes to sharing of vehicles, housing loans and other juicy benefits every four years, no member of parliament will be against it. The concerns of most Ghanaians are that should we remain aloof when our MPs continue to enjoy these luxuries at the end of every four years in addition to the payment of ex-gratia to them?
It is a fact that Ghanaians went to the polls to elect their MPs through voting the candidates of their choice to help develop their various communities for every four years, but what do we gain from them in return, since most of the communities still remain undeveloped whilst the MPs are enjoying their wealth and riding in luxury cars while they forget about the very people who put them where they are?
UNFAIR TREATMENT TO OTHER CATEGORY OF WORKERS
Does it make sense to hear that a headmaster who is a public servant who imparted knowledge and intellectual property for many years to train ministers of state, justices of the judiciary, doctors, engineers, journalists, nurses, other professionals and public servants goes home as retired educationist with no ex-gratia while others enjoy the facility? That to me and others who think alike is unreasonable and unfair.
It is recalled that when the eminent chief, Togbe Afede XIV, Paramount Chief of the Asogli State in the Volta Region, saw the need to reject the GH¢365, 000 that was paid into his account as ex-gratia for being a Member of the Council of State and returned the money to the state through the Bank of Ghana, many were those who read political meanings into his decision, with a wide condemnation of being mischievous.
TOGBE AFEDE’S LEADING EXAMPLE TO THE STATE
Togbe Afede’s explanation was that he received monthly payments and allowances while as a member of the Council of State and, therefore, there was no need for the payment of the ex-gratia. To him, that extra payment was inappropriate for a short, effective part-time work for which he received a monthly salary and was entitled to other privileges. His explanation did not go down well with his accusers, who branded him with all kinds of negativities and called him names.
It may be of interest to my readers and patrons that the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, who can be described as the chief referee of our noble and august law making institution, Parliament, recently justified the payment of the ex-gratia to Members of Parliament. He contended that the money was very important for the sustenance of the MPs after serving the country. According to him, money spent by MPs to campaign for their elections was three times more than the ex-gratia they received.
PAYMENT OF EX-GRATIA NOT UNDER DISPUTE
The issue at hand as far as this ex-gratia is concerned is that, nobody is disputing the quantum and payment of this facility to parliamentarians, it is rather the mode for which these payments are being made and the calibre of people who are qualified to enjoy the facility. We are talking of a country which is experiencing serious economic crisis that has led us to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek a bailout to restructure and revamp the downward trend of the economy. In the midst of all these economic challenges, we cannot continue to dish out money as ex-gratia to some government officials who are already enjoying fat and impressive salaries at the end of every month while the majority of workers continue to receive low remunerations.
REVIEWING EX-GRATIA AWARDS
Ghanaians are, indeed, suffering and have nowhere to turn to for survival and if those they are looking up to help them to confront these challenges, who are already living better with high salaries, are adding up to their wealth just to impoverish them, they will surely be agitated and condemn the package. It was time the nation took a second look at the laws regarding the payment of ex-gratia to Article 71 office holders, political appointees and other public servants and saw how best it could modify and review the law on Ex-gratia to reflect on the economic circumstances and other aspirations of our dear country. We cannot continue to pump money into areas that will not benefit the nation and for that matter Ghanaians in general.
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By Charles Neequaye
Today, I focus on the Apostolic Church International in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The Apostolic Church International, Finland (or, Apostolic International Association Ry) was established in October 9, 2023. The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
History of the Church in Ghana
The Apostolic Church Ghana originated from the 1904–1905 Welsh revival, officially established in Ghana (then called Gold Coast) in 1935 following connections between a local prayer group in Asamankese (a town in southern Ghana), led by Peter Newman Anim, and the Apostolic Church, UK. There were historical splits in 1939 and 1953, but the Apostolic Church attained autonomy in 1985.
Today, the Church is headquartered in Accra. Last year (2025), it dedicated its new 10-storey headquarters, “The Apostolic Church Tower,” in Frafraha, Adenta West in Accra.
Activities of the Apostolic Church in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11a.m. in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. in the afternoon. There are no other activities during other days for now.
The Minister in charge of the church in Finland is also the Area Head of Italy Area. He is Pastor Daniel Kofi Addison who is the new Italy Area Head, and has just been transferred from UK South Area to Italy Area during the just-ended Council Meeting in March this year. Italy Area comprises Italy, which has 13 Assemblies, Germany, one Assembly, and Finland, one Assembly.
Elder Ebenezer Amoaning-Coffie is the Presiding Elder in charge of the Assembly in Finland. A Presiding Elder is responsible for day to day activities of the church (Assembly) and reports to the District Pastor, or in the absence of the District Pastor, reports to the Area Head.
Achievements
The Apostolic Church International, Finland was officially registered under the Finnish Law, guaranteeing freedom of worship and providing legal foundation for future growth. The church service is conducted in both English and Twi.
The church opens its doors to all people of every nation, especially Ghanaians who are in Finland and other African nationals. Now, the membership comprises Ghanaians, Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
The Church and the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the Apostolic Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
Elder Amoaning-Coffie said that the main and primary aim of the church is to bring people closer to God. “We aim to win souls for Christ. We aim to preach the gospel to the world. By propagating the gospel to the people, we are hopeful that they will turn away from any ungodly ways and be good individuals in the community and in society in general”, he stated.
He said that everything is going well so far. A key challenge, however, is how to get more members especially the youth. As a new Assembly, we are in need of instrumentalists, for example. We pray to God Almighty to help us do His work, the Elder disclosed.
Integration
By its activities, the Apostolic Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society. This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Apostolic Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
The landscape of the Ghanaian palate is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. In our bustling urban centres, from the streets of Accra to the suburbs of Kumasi, a quiet culinary revolution is taking place; one where the mortar and pestle are being replaced by the pizza oven and the deep fryer. This transition from traditional staple foods like fufu, banku, akple, kenkey, tuo zaafi, and ampesi toward “continental” dishes is more than just a change in appetite; it is a reflection of a deeper social struggle with identity and prestige.
The illusion of modernity
For many, “stepping out” for a meal has become synonymous with consuming foreign cuisine. There is an unspoken social hierarchy where a bowl of Abunuabunu is relegated to the village category, while burgers, pizzas are branded as prestigious choices. We have reached a stage where we equate foreign with modern and local with primitive.
This perception is a dangerous illusion. Our traditional dishes are marvels of culinary engineering complex, nutrient-dense, and deeply rooted in our history. When we choose a processed foreign import over a meal made from local tubers or fermented maize, we are not just changing our lunch; we are eroding the indigenous knowledge attached to our local ingredients and foods.
We need to turn the consumption of indigenous grains and tubers like millet, sorghum, and plantain into a statement of self-worth and national pride.
The cultural and health erosion
Every time a local dish disappears from a restaurant menu to make room for foreign fast food, we lose a piece of our cultural fabric. Traditional Ghanaian cooking is an art that requires patience and skill. By choosing the convenience of foreign fast food, we are raising a generation that may know the taste of a pepperoni pizza but cannot identify the rich, earthy profile of Prekese or the subtle tang of well-fermented dough dishes like corn porridge, banku, etew, abolo, agidi or kamfa, and kenkey.
Furthermore, we are at the crossroads of a nutrition transition. Replacing high-fiber, indigenous crops with calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foreign fast foods is driving a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and liver disease. We are trading our longevity for 15-minutes convenience or unhealthy diet.
A call for culinary patriotism
It is time for us to appreciate, preserve, and promote our indigenous foods and culinary traditions. We need to be proud of our local dishes, ingredients and cooking methods, rather than relying heavily on foreign or imported foods. We must stop viewing our local delicacies as low-class and start treating our culinary heritage as the high-end gastronomy it truly is.
True sophistication does not come from imitating Western fast food; it comes from innovation and adding values to our own resources. We see glimpses of this potential in the rise of branded Sobolo and the creative use of gluten-free plantain flour in modern baking of flour-based dishes such as bread, cakes, biscuits and others. This is the path forward. We must elevate our local dishes, making them as accessible, affordable, presentable and trendy as any foreign alternative.
To the hospitality industry: Innovate or stagnate
Our hotels and high-end restaurants must lead the charge. They must stop relegating local dishes to the “traditional corner” of the buffet, and apply the same culinary finesse given to imported dishes to our Fante Fante, apapransa, aborbi tadi, fetritoto, akple, abolo, yakayeke, fufu, ampesi, kokonte, wasawasa, tubani, apapransa, mpotompoto, kelewele, aliha, brukutu, pito, and other local dishes. The industry must enhance customer experiences making eating local dishes the ultimate luxury experience for both tourists and residents alike. We must elevate the presentation of our foods by using modern plating techniques to show that a bowl of light soup can be as visually stunning as a French consommé. We need to reclaim our Ghanaian plate before it is too late.
To the policy makers: Let us encourage buying of local ingredients to promote the local food industry and economy. There should be educational programmes and talks about the nutritional and cultural benefits of local foods so that people understand their value.
We need to encourage serving traditional dishes at school programmes, parties, and celebrations instead of only fast foods,
To the Youth: Let us value and appreciate our traditional dishes instead of always choosing foreign foods. There must be balance in our choice of local and foreign dishes. Confidence in our culture encourages others to respect it too. Our local dishes can also be promoted by sharing pictures, recipes, and videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to make them attractive and trendy.
Young citizens must learn from their parents and elders how to prepare local meals to keep the knowledge and cultural relevance alive. Local dishes can be modernised to appeal to younger generations and tourists.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to trade our heritage for foreign cuisines which are gaining grounds across the country at an alarming rate. We must disabuse our minds of the perception that anything foreign or imported is better than those locally made. Our health, economy, and identity are tied to the soil. It is time to stop apologising for our local flavours and start celebrating them. It is possible to embrace modernity without losing ourselves and our cultural identity. Let us make the Ghanaian kitchen the heart of our modern identity once again.
By: Marilyn Gadogbe
