The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday filed a writ at the Supreme Court against the Attorney-General demanding that the pension payable to former President Jerry Rawlings and the facilities available to him shall not be varied to his disadvantage during his lifetime.
The writ filed by Messrs Kweku Baah and Co named the Attorney General and Chief of Defence Staff as those affected.
The NDC is seeking a declaration that former President Rawlings is entitled to all the facilities available to him as ex-president and such facilities, including his military security detail, shall not be varied to his disadvantage during his lifetime.
The writ is seeking an order directed at the Attorney General and the government he represents, their agents and servants "from varying the facilities available to the said President Jerry Rawlings during his lifetime as prescribed by the constitution".
In a statement of claim, the NDC said until January 7 this year, Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings was the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana.
It said in those capacities, he was entitled to and enjoyed certain facilities. "One of the facilities he enjoyed was the protection and security of a military detail chosen with his consent and approval to secure and enhance his personal security."
To support its case, the NDC quoted Article 68(2)(9)(a) of the Constitution, which states that "the pension payable to the President and the facilities available to him shall not be varied to his disadvantage during his lifetime."
"The plaintiff said in spite of the plain language of the provision (in the Constitution), certain personalities, agents and spokesmen have been making statements and pronouncements, which seem to indicate that a group unknown to him and chosen and trained by others, are to be substituted for the security personnel he currently has and had in the past."
It said this move, if not checked, is clearly intended and aimed at putting former President Rawlings' security in jeopardy and his life at risk.
The NDC said there is an agreement between them and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Administration and the transitional team, which spells out the facilities available to former President Rawlings.
"The Plaintiff says that if the defendants are not restrained they, in the utmost bad faith, will renege on all agreements reached during the transitional negotiations in breach of the Constitution.
