PARTICIPANTS WANT EXGRATIA REVIEWED (PAGE 14, MAY 19, 2010)

Participants in a two-day district and community level consultation organised by the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) at Nsawkaw, the capital of the Tain district in the Brong Ahafo Region, have called for the review of the provision of ex-gratia as enshrined in the Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution for all public officers.
They stressed the need for beneficiaries under Article 71 to contribute to the Social Security National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) like other workers and reap benefit from it rather than through the provision of ex-gratia.
They also called on the government to provide adequate resources for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to enable it intensify public education on the constitution.
The forum was attended by traditional rulers, civil society and various social groups in the district.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Tain District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr. Jones Samuel Tawiah, stressed the need for the District Assembly Common Fund (DAFC) to be reviewed from the current seven per cent to 10 per cent.
This, he said, would enable the various municipal and district assemblies to implement their development agenda.
Mr. Tawiah urged the NCCE to make the 1992 Constitution accessible to all Ghanaians, especially in schools.
He expressed the hope that the exercise, when completed would enable the country to strengthen its democracy through the 1992 Constitution which was under review.
He urged all citizens to take advantage of the exercise and enlighten themselves about the constitution, saying this was an important exercise which should be embraced by all.
Mr. Tawiah also commended the participants for showing great interest in the exercise and noted that it was an indication of the citizen’s complete understanding of democracy in the country.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tain, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, recommended for a provision that would ensure the smooth transfer of power from one government to another after a general election.
This, he said, would enable the country to reduce the tension and difficulties that normally arose between political parties after general elections.
Mr. Rowland Atta-Kesson, the Head of the Research Team of the CRC, commended the participants and urged them to continue deliberating on the subject and submit other supplementary suggestions through various stakeholders in their community to the commission.