Special pension pay for 40 former MPs unconstitutional – SC
The Supreme Court on Thursday, 3 December 2020, ruled that it is unconstitutional for the Chinery-Hesse Committee to provide a special pension scheme for ex-Members of Parliament (MPs).
A former MP of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr David Apasera, who is now the presidential candidate of the party, together with some 39 former MPs, sued the government for an amount of GHS 233,495 each.
The amount is the accrued monthly pension of the 40 former MPs since January 2020.
The former MPs were claiming GHS13,735 per month.
However, the accumulated interest for the 85 months increased each ex-MP’s claim to GHS 233, 495.
So, collectively, the former MPs say they are entitled to GHS9,339,800 from the government.
The former MPs were claiming the amount based on the Chinery-Hesse Presidential Emoluments Committee (PEC).
The Committee provides that MPs who served for two full terms, exited Parliament and were 50 years and above be paid some sum of money as pension benefits.
Presided over by Justice Jones Dotse, the seven-member panel noted that it was unconstitutional for the Chinery-Hesse Committee to make such a recommendation.
The Court of Appeal was, thus, ordered to carry out the answer, as directed by the Supreme Court, in the reading of the judgment by Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe, who was taking his valedictory Judgement, as he takes a bow from the Bench.
The 40 former MPs include: David Apasera Dr Charles Brempong-Yeboah, Francis Aggrey Agbotese, Nii Adu Daku Mante, Kwame Adusa Okerchiri, Godfred Otchere, Moses Dani Baah, K. Brandford Adu, Victor Okuley Nortey, Yaw Barimah, Kwadwo Darko Adjei, Samuel Gyamfi Adu,Joseph Tsatsu Agbenu, Eugene Atta Agyapong, Abraham Osei Aidoo, Dr. Kwame Ampofo, Dr Matthew Kwaku Antwi, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku and Yaw Mensah Asiedu
The others are Angela Baiden-Amissah, Kwamena Bartels, Freddie W.A. Blay, Sampson Boafo, Chrisitne Churcher, Kenneth Dzirasah Isaac E. Edumadze, Nkrabea Effah Dartey, Kwame Owusu Frimpong, Kitson Akomeng Kissi, Joseph Henry Mensah, Mrs Anna Nyamakye, Albert Kwaku Obbin, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Francis Mensah Osafo, Akwasi Adjei Osei, K. Owusu Adjapong, K. Opoku Adusei, Quarm Sam, Alex Sofo Seidu and Alhassa Malik Yakubu.
Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com
