Pay ex-gratia to Mills’ son, Naadu – Lawyer

A legal practitioner, Egbert Faibille, says gratuities of late President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills must be shared equally among Mrs. Naadu Mills and his only son, Kofi Sam.

Speaking on an Accra based radio station on Monday, the lawyer cum journalist insisted that Prof. Mills’ demise should not be a hindrance for the duo receiving the ex-gratia though he could not complete his four-year term.

“President Mills is no more. Is it the lump sum that is going to be paid to his widow and son? Is president Mills entitled to an official residence? If so, then it has to go to the widow and son," the Editor-in-chief of the Ghanaian Observer newspaper added.

Ghana’s constitution as it stands now makes provision for ex-presidents and public office holders to be paid ex-gratia and emoluments, such entitlements cannot be transferred to their survivors such as spouses and children.

To Lawyer faibille, it is important that the country takes a second look at how it caters for a family of a deceased sitting president to avoid controversies.

He added that the PNDC Law 111 provides for widows to be taken care of under the constitution, stressing that a definite decision must be taken on how to treat the immediate family of a late president.**