A former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South, Clement Opoku Gyamfi, has appealed to the Finance Minister to urgently release the end-of-service benefits owed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who served under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Mr. Opoku Gyamfi in an interview at Asempa fm said many former appointees are struggling to survive due to the delay in the payment of their ex-gratia and other benefits.
He claimed that some of them are seriously ill, while others are facing severe financial hardship.
“We are dying of hunger. Most of our people are even bedridden because of the non-payment of our end-of-service benefits,” he said.
He added that he was emotional because the situation has become unbearable for many of his colleagues.
According to him, the benefits are legitimate entitlements and should not require begging.
He stressed that they have completed their service and handed over power, and therefore expect the government to fulfil its obligation.
He alleged that at least five former appointees have died while waiting for their payments.
He also stated that some of their colleagues are too sick to work and depend on others for support.
“Some even need money to buy drugs, but they cannot afford it,” he said.
Mr. Opoku Gyamfi explained that a committee was formed to follow up on the matter in Accra.
He said members of the group contributed money to support the committee’s work, but they are yet to receive any official response from the authorities.
He argued that the matter should not be treated as a question of priority spending.
In his view, once a new government takes over, it has the responsibility to settle outstanding obligations to former officials.
The former DCE therefore appealed to the Finance Minister and relevant authorities to act quickly to ease the hardship facing former MMDCEs.
He maintained that they served the country and deserve to be treated fairly.
By: Jacob Aggrey
