THE EX GRATIA: A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

One of the commonest newly discovered words in the lexicon of most Ghanaians in 2009 undoubtedly is ex gratia not withstanding capricious, bogus and hit the road running expression. Its commonest usage is reflected at almost all meetings especially when a person is asked to perform a task. This 2nd semester on our various campuses could not be excluded from the usage of this new jargon. Almost all out-going executives of social or students associations on campus at one time or the other had asked for his or her ex gratia at meetings.

According to the Macmillan English Dictionary, “ex gratia payment is made because you are generous, not because of a legal obligation”. Does that therefore means fulfilling this all-time appreciated thing is not compulsory after all or is it that the act is being given the wrong label in Ghana?

For all intents and purposes, leadership is the science of influencing and ensuring that the conditions of a person or group of persons who agrees to follow a leader are made better. This, political leadership is no exception.

Undoubtedly, the greatest leader ever to live on earth is Jesus Christ (or Holy Prophet Mohammed as the case may be). This is a leader-servant who did everything possible to attain the basic tenet of leadership-bettering the lives of one's followers. Despite the many heroic accolades he enjoyed from wherever he either went or mention was made of his name, he always persevered to achieving this fundamental pillar of his chosen endeavour-leadership. Yes, I absolutely agree that he was a spirit-physical being. How about the many selfless and industrious nationalists whose names have been written not only in the cerebrums of the current generation but also on tabloids located in the minds of generations yet unborn? Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Florence Nightingale, Mohandas Gandhi, and the many unsung heroes and heroines who worked 24/7 just for three reasons: bettering lives, bettering lives and bettering lives were at least humans just like us. These were people who one can conclude that their ids were insensitive even if they had it.

It is a fact that even in serving (leading as we often see) your people, you cannot run the race on an empty stomach. I believe with conviction that once a person makes the decisive intention to serve his or her people, s/he must be amply content with the “many” facilities available to the chosen office. Again, I cannot but re-echo that leadership is absolutely about sacrifice. That is the sole reason that upon hearing the words of our National Anthem being sung, our gallant men and women everywhere: in the field of sports, on the battlefield, on the farm or in the office beat against all odds to rise and defend the good name of Ghana.

As humans as we are and will forever remain, we will always honour those who serve us. But should this be to the detriment of the many youth who throng the streets of our towns and cities doing “nothing”, the many pregnant women, old men and women who defied all odds and waited in long queues in the ever scorching sun to exercise their franchise just of the view that it will make their lives better, the many Ghanaians who not by any fault of theirs happen to share brownish coloured water with cattle and other farm animals? To this, I say absolutely NO! Indeed, who am I to object honouring our leaders (oh no our servants!). Yes, a nation which does not honour her heroes and heroines is not worth dying for. But how do we honour them?

Please just a minute and let me refresh your memory: lump sum payment of US$ 400,000, US$ 1,000,000 for the establishment of a foundation, 2 fully furnished residences, 3 saloon cars, 2 cross country vehicles and 1 all-purpose vehicle (6 vehicles in all) to be maintained, insured, fuelled, chauffeur driven, police guards, couple to travel overseas once a year for not more than 65 days with 3 personal assistants and security detail, entertainment package, 24/7 security guard, free medical attention, and an ex gratia award equivalent to 18 months consolidated salary, and an additional resettlement grant. All these are to be provided to the Ex Prez. J.A. Kufuor by Ghanaians including the tired and restless looking “Kayaye” striving on the pavements of Makola (Yes, “Kayayes” pay taxes!). For the MPs, let's keep it for another day but remember, the value is the same (“shame”!). How about this: US$ 191,000 pension, couple's secret service protection, paid travel expenses with 2 assistants, a private fund to establish a library and free medical care for the couple and nothing else! This is the retirement package for Ex Prez. G. W. Bush. Sh! Close your mouth else that flying housefly gets into it! Worthy to know is the fact that both leaders went out of office nearly the same time. Both are gentlemen in their own rights and of high reputation. Lest I forget we borrowed and were also given some “coins” by this same gentlemen's country! Have you forgotten the MCA and all the other doles which they dolled out to us? During all these times, a question kept criss-crossing my mind: is it that we are richer than the US or we know how to appreciate our ex servants better than the US or it's sheer affluence? So God help us.

Has the current threats to embark on various forms of industrial strikes has any root in the proposal and payment of ex gratia to the politicians? Has the politicians (government officials and MPs) ever went on strike? If no, is it that they “love” the nation more than any other person?

I wish to suggest that the constitutional review that is currently being proposed by almost all stakeholders should as a matter of national priority review the provision of the Articles relating to the retirement packages of ex government officials. There should be a befitting package for all national servants not all politicians but also the public and civil servants which will stipulate such items to be given out both in quality and quantity irrespective of who and when the recipient is to receive it.

Also, the hullabaloo surrounding who, where and when the bill was passed suggests that certain “sensitive” bills must not be allowed to go through the House at the last minutes before the dissolution of the House. Let us make integrity and the love of one's country the guiding principles.

With all said and done, the words of one of the greatest leaders, Mohandas 'Great Soul' Gandhi, reverberate in my mind that, “time monuments to the great are not statutes of marble, bronze or gold”. The best monument cannot but be remembered about caring for humanity.

(This article was written by the author and published earlier in 2009).

This article was written by the author and published earlier in 2009. In the midst of the on-going debate about ex-gratia and taking into cognisance the prevailing socioeconomic atmosphere in the country, it is worth reading again).