Togbe Afede XIV has made a statement to politicians for refunding the ex-gratia he received, Governance Expert, Dr Isaac Adu Yamoah has said.
According to Dr Adu Yamoah, Togbe Afede has issued a caution to politicians to stop receiving ex-gratia.
In an interview on Wontumi TV Morning Show, he added that the Paramount Chief of the Asogli State is confiding in politicians to either reduce or expand or cancel the ex-gratia.
The Governance Expert said, Togbe Afede XIV is now a Chief and that he doesn’t fear politicians.
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Background
The Paramount Chief of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV has rejected the GHS365,000 that was paid into his account as ex-gratia for being a member of the Council of State.
He has thus returned the money to the state through the Bank of Ghana.
In a statement issued by the Agbogbomefia, he said he received monthly payments and allowances while as a member of the Council of State therefore he sees no need for the payment of the ex-gratia.
“I did not think the payment was made to trap me, as is being speculated. I believe it was paid to everybody who served on the Council of State. However, I thought that extra payment was inappropriate for a short, effectively part-time work, for which I received a monthly salary and was entitled to other privileges. So, I was very uncomfortable with it,” Togbe Afede XIV said in a statement.
“After weeks of trying, I obtained advice on how to refund inappropriate payments to the State, and on March 4, 2022, I made the refund into the Controller & Accountant General’s Department Suspense Account at the Bank of Ghana.”
Togbe Afede XIV has been in the news recently due to his criticism of the Bank of Ghana on the increase of the policy rate.
He described the Central bank’s response as “misrepresentations and outright lies”.
The paramount chief indicated that the responses from the BoG are “lame, and failed to address the core issues I raised”.
He said none of the BoG’s arguments justifies the astronomically high monetary policy rates that have burdened our economy over the past 20 years.
He said “It is unfortunate that not since May 2003 when I questioned the soundness of BOG’s monetary policy has there been any open debate on the subject. I would urge our economists to show some interest. The “independence” of BOG does not grant it immunity from constructive criticism. BOG must demonstrate a genuine commitment to stability, growth, and employment generation.”