Charles Nii Teiko Tagoe, a former presidential aide under the Akufo-Addo administration, is demanding an explanation from Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson over the delay in paying ex-gratia to former presidential appointees.
Tagoe, who served as a presidential aide, executive assistant and Head of Social Media at the Office of the President, said former appointees have now waited for one year and nine months without receiving the payment stated in their 2021 appointment letters.
He asked why the situation appears different from the previous Mahama administration, where he said former presidential appointees reportedly started receiving their ex-gratia payments in March 2017, only months after the change of government.
“So, after one year and nine months in office, the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson has decided not to pay us our ex-gratia as stated in our 2021 appointment letters?” Tagoe asked.
He also questioned what had changed under the current administration and why former appointees were still waiting.
“Why are former appointees under the previous administration still waiting after one year and nine months? What has changed?” he said.
Tagoe said if the payment is clearly provided for in their appointment letters and there is no legal basis for withholding it, the Finance Minister should explain the delay and pay what is due.
“If the entitlement is clearly stated in our appointment letters and government has no legal basis for withholding it, then the Finance Minister owes us an explanation and, more importantly, our money,” he said.
