Atubiga criticizes Mahama over plans to abolish exgratia payment

A former member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Stephen Atubiga, has criticized John Dramani Mahama for conceiving the idea of scrapping exgratia.

According to him, John Dramani Mahama, who rose through the ranks of the political ladder throughout his life, has been enjoying exgratia all these years.

After several years of benefiting from exgratia and knowing that it’s the lifeline for politicians, he cannot fathom why John Dramani Mahama wants to scrap the payment of exgratia to Article 71 office holders.

In a post on social media, Stephen Atubiga said, “You receive exgratia as an MP, minister, and president. Still receiving to date, but you want to cancel it as a president, knowing it’s the lifeline for politicians not to steal.”

Flagbearer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has assured the people of Ghana that he will scrap the payment of exgratia if given the power to lead Ghana again.

Speaking at the launch of his campaign in 2024, John Dramani Mahama is on record to have said, “The payment of exgratia to members of the executive under Article 71 will be scrapped. And the necessary constitutional steps to abolish that payment will start in earnest in 2025.

“We will also begin the process of persuading the other arms of government, other than the executive, to accept the removal of this exgratia payment.”