A group of 134 former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) appointed under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appealed to the Ministry of Finance for payment of their outstanding terminal benefits. The former MMDCEs, whose tenure was extended to October 2021, said they had not received the terminal benefits due them after leaving office. They were instructed to remain in office at the beginning of the second term of the Akufo-Addo administration until new MMDCEs were nominated.
The former MMDCEs, in a petition addressed to Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minister of Finance, said they were not renominated for the second term and subsequently left office without receiving their terminal benefits. The petition, signed by Mr Leo-Nelson Adzidogah, former MCE for Akatsi South, stated that the former MMDCEs initially believed their benefits would be paid alongside those of their successors at the end of the second term. However, their successors received their terminal benefits, but they were left out.
The former MMDCEs described their exclusion as unfair, arguing that colleagues who were renominated for the second term had received benefits covering the period from January 2021 to October 2021, during which both groups served. They contended that their exit from office before the end of the second term should not be used as a basis to deny them benefits for the period they served. The group attributed the situation to an oversight and appealed to the Finance Minister to give the matter due consideration.
The former MMDCEs expressed the hope that the Ministry would respond favourably to their request and take the necessary steps to resolve the matter. They emphasised that the payment of their terminal benefits would help alleviate their current financial difficulties. The group also highlighted the need for the Ministry to review its policies to prevent similar situations in the future.
According to the petition, the former MMDCEs served from 2017 to October 2021, with some of them serving for over four years. During their tenure, they worked to implement various development projects and programmes in their respective areas. The group believed that their contributions warranted fair treatment in terms of their terminal benefits.
The Ministry of Finance has received the petition and is expected to consider the matter. The outcome of the Ministry's deliberations is yet to be announced. The former MMDCEs are anxiously waiting for a positive response from the Ministry, which would enable them to receive their outstanding terminal benefits.
The issue has sparked discussions among stakeholders, with some calling for a review of the payment of terminal benefits to former MMDCEs. The discussions highlight the need for clarity on the payment of terminal benefits to ensure that all eligible individuals receive their due benefits.
Key points
- 134 former NPP MMDCEs demand payment of outstanding terminal benefits
- Former MMDCEs served from 2017 to October 2021
- Ministry of Finance to consider the petition
