Fresh storm gathers over controversial ex-gratia awards

With the debate over who approved the disbursement of the controversial ex-gratia to some members of parliament yet to settle, another mystery is unfolding over the source of the money approved for disbursement.

The Controller and Accountant General, Christian Tetteh-Sottie has denied transferring funds for that purpose.

Speaking on Adom Dwaso Nsem with Ekourba Gyasi on Monday, Christian Tetteh-Sottie, said his outfit has not disbursed or transferred any fund on the subject of ex-gratia to parliament.

According to Mr. Tetteh-Sottie, he received an authorization to that effect but because of the directive issued by President Mills on assumption of office that certain statutory payments would have to be made only with the approval of the presidency, he declined to act on the directive and therefore wonders how the alleged ESB to members of parliament were disbursed.

The state owned newspaper Daily Graphic on Monday, February 9, reported that at least six former and current members of parliament (MPs) have already received their ex-gratia payments.

“Government sources have confirmed to the Daily Graphic” the paper reported.

According to the paper, although sources within Parliament and the seat of government would not disclose the identities of the beneficiaries, they indicated that the beneficiaries withdrew their moneys at some banks in Accra before President Mills ordered the suspension of the payments.

Mr Moses Asaga, a member of the Finance Sub-Committee of the Government Transitional Team, was last Friday handed a bitter pill when the president withdrew his nomination for consideration as Water Resources, Works and Housing Minister, allegedly for authorizing the payment of the ex-gratia on January 16, this year, without due consideration.

Story by Kojo Addo, Adom FM