No matter how people see him, H.E. John Dramani Mahama could be a pacesetter in this country, if he wins the 2024 Presidential Elections. He would become the first ex-president to visit Art. 71 of the Constitution, on two different occasions.
Before I go on with the problem of the day, did John Mahama receive retirement benefits as vice-president and president in 2013? Remember, he was president for five and a half months into the new term, which began in 2013.
In 2017, we were told that H.E. John Dramani Mahama received among others, the following:
1). A non-taxable monthly salary of GH¢22,809.00; 2). 40% of monthly salary as rent; 3). Another 40% of monthly for his support staff. 4). A fully furnished up-to-date office with communication equipment; 5). Four state provided staff, maintained and paid by the state; 6). Two personal vehicles which are maintained and comprehensibly insured by the state and to be replaced every four years and a chauffeur;
7). Two security cars which are also maintained and comprehensibly insured by the state, and to be replaced every four years. 8). Two security personnel from state security, who are paid by the state; 9). The ex-president is entitled to two all-expenses paid trips abroad, annually, for himself, his wife and two security personnel, for a duration up to two weeks per trip;
10). Health care of the ex-president and his wife is at the state’s expense and 11). Utilities in the ex-president’s residence is at the responsibility of the state.
These were contained in the Presidential Emoluments Committee report by the Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh Committee, set up under the Article 71 Office Holders Conditions of Service in the 1992 Constitution.
Readers, remember in 2001, ex-president Rawlings had wanted to take over a state property behind the Indian High Commissioner’s resident and had also made the state purchase an aircraft for him. Also in 2017, ex-president John Mahama had wanted to take possession of the vice-president’s official residence. These are just by the way.
The main question from the Gong-Gong today is, if John Mahama gets the nod in December to be president in January 2025, what will happen when he ends his term, this time for good, on January 6, 2029? Will he receive new sets of retirement benefits? Mind you, MPs collect retirement benefits every four years, and most come back as MPs ready for the next retirement benefits.
We must look at things like JDM’s office complex and four state provided and maintained vehicles, which are his and his family’s even after his demise. Will there be another office complex and set of brand-new vehicles for him after 2028? Will he receive twice what he is receiving now?
The Gong-Gong questions, because Article 71 is silent on this and the way, Ghanaians, even including Parliament can quarrel with the Supreme Court over simple interpretation of simple English written in our Constitution, we must start discussing this before a great confusion erupts in 2029, should H.E. John Dramani Mahama become president again.
By Hon. Daniel Dugan
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.
