NDC youth group, Democratic Youth for Competent Leadership (DYFCL) has described it unfortunate the unfolding story of ex-gratia for Article 71 holders per Ghana’s 1992 constitution.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, 18th September 2022 the group has indicated that former President Mahama’s claims of not having received any package under the constitutional provision since leaving office in 2017 is to address accusations by Bono East Chairman of the NPP, Kwame Baffoe.
The former President had earlier been alleged to have received about Ghc30 million cedis as ex-gratia in 2013 and 2017 respectively by the outspoken NPP communicator.
The allegations were made after former President Mahama pledged to review packages of Article 71 holders in 2025 after the opposition National Democratic Congress was elected back into power under his leadership in an interview with TV3.
His comments have attracted many diverse opinions with the timing party accusing the former President of being a hypocrite as he had enjoyed the privileges during his tenure as Vice President and subsequently became President until January 2017.
But DYCL in a press statement has jumped in defence of the former President indicating that Mr Maham was not interested in receiving the benefits but rather made clarifications on earlier allegations from Government and NPP communicators.
“We want to make it clear that former President’s claims of not enjoying ex-gratis privileges were to expose the lies and propaganda cooked by the NPP to tarnish his hard-earned reputation. He was just explaining issues clearly for Ghanaians to judge the matter as presented and we as a group, believe his comments have really naked the government and NPP at large” the statement stated.
It added, “We are by this statement calling on Government and the NPP to render an apology to the former President and also are Government and NPP communicators to desist from attacking the personality of Mr Mahama”.
However, the Organiser of the group, Comrade Ahmed Agbenyadzi has called on Ghanaians to reject the cheap propaganda of the NPP and support the NDC winning back power in 2025 to review the Article 71 privileges as promised by the former President.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
