MPs are also "robbing" Ghana

With the controversy surrounding the ex-gratia package for former Presidents still spiralling, it appears the settlement for outgoing parliamentarians is yet to get topical.

The ex-gratia for former Presidents and Members of Parliaments (MPs) were outlined in the report of the Chinery Hesse Committee.

The report deemed to be an updated version of the Green Street Report of 2001 provided that former President Kufuor should be entitled to two houses, six vehicles and a lump sum of $460,000 (equivalent to ¢4.6 billion), among several other benefits.

A letter from the Office of the Clerk of Parliament dated January 6, 2009 states the package was given Parliamentary approval before it was dissolved on the said date to make way for the new legislature.

While the Chinery Hesse report’s prescription for former Presidents has spawned enormous public debate and criticism of the former Parliament, it turns out that the former MPs themselves have a lot to enjoy.

Upon leaving office the former Speaker, Begyina Sekyi Hughes takes home a lump sum of GH¢126,600, a saloon car and an all-purpose vehicle to be maintained by the state.

He is also entitled to a pension package on which he pays not tax. There is a free medical and dental care for him and his spouse, all to be sponsored by the state.

A deputy speaker takes home a lump sum of GH¢100,000 and will be entitled to purchase one duty-post vehicle.

Like the former Speaker, he and his spouse and children less than 21 years will receive free medical and dental care.

The Majority and Minority Leader and their deputies as well as the Chief Whips and their deputies will receive a non-taxable ex-gratia and settlement grants ranging between GH¢90,000 and GH¢100,000. They will also be entitled to pension and the right to purchase a duty-post vehicle.

The Chinery Hesse report recommends former MPs be given a lump sum of GH¢56,000 and should be entitled to their full pension.

Although the ex-gratia for the former Presidents has been greeted with a huge public outcry the former MPs are tight-lipped, perhaps because, their share of the pie is equally copious.

It has become clear that the MPs did not conduct due diligence of the document before approving it.

The issues are getting murkier as the MPs give conflicting accounts of what happened on December 6, but with the public outcry increasing, the current House is expected to subject the matter to some review.