Some Members of Parliament have made calls for a review of the retirement package for law makers in the country.
The MPs lamented that life after service in Parliament for some members often becomes extremely difficult hence efforts must be made to cushion them when they leave Parliament.
The concerns were raised on the floor of the house, after tributes were read in memory of the late MP for Hohoe North, Prince Jacob Hayibor.
Theme Member of Parliament for Central Tongu, Joseph Gidisu in his comment said “the rate of exit from this world by colleagues who have passed out of the house is quite alarming; and I want to equally associate myself on calling for a very serious attention to be given to whatever support that could be given to members of the house by way of pension or any other arrangement to be of assistance to MPs when they are outside this house.”
The Deputy Minority leader and Member of Parliament for Bimbilla, Dominic Nitiwul, described as disappointing, the situation where Members of Parliament would now have to contribute to support the former MP’s funeral.
Government in 2013, released about GH¢200,000 to be paid to former Members of Parliament who served in the fifth parliament of the fourth republic as ex-gratia.
‘Set up provident fund for ex-gratia’
In April 2016, a Zonal Consultative forum held in Kumasi on emoluments and salaries of article 71 public office holders, ended with recommendations that a provident fund be set up to allow Members of Parliament (MPs) cede part of their monthly salaries to serve as their ex-gratia when they exit Parliament.
A five-member Presidential Committee on Emoluments appointed by President John Dramani Mahama is organizing the broad consultative meetings across the country to solicit public views on the all-important issues to factor these into a final recommendations document.
Article 71 office holders are: the President and his Vice, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Speaker of Parliament and Members of Parliament, Chief Justice, other superior judges and heads of independent state agencies.
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By: Duke M. Opoku & Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana