General News of Tuesday, 27 February 2001

Source: GNA

Greenstreet Committee clarifies air about ex-gratia, cars

The Greenstreet Committee, on Monday, said at no time did it propose the payment of ex-gratia award at the rate of six months salary for every year served by Ministers and other office holders under Article 71.

A statement issued in Accra said it submitted only four reports since its inception - one each in 1993 and 1998 and two in 2000. "In both 1993 and 1998 reports, the committee recommended the payment of ex-gratia awards at the rate of three months salary for each year served and pro-rata to those mentioned in Article 71."

The committee said in its June 2000 report it reviewed the rate to four months salary for each year served. The committee also said it did not recommend the sale of vehicles to ministers, parliamentarians or any of those named under Article 71.

It said it acted in an advisory capacity to the President and its recommendations were restricted to only those named in the article.