Former President Jerry John Rawlings has not received his gratuity as ex-President since he left office on January 7, this year. Staff of the former President have also not received their salaries over the same period. Two out of his four members of staff, Aisha Soadah and Edith Senyah who are on secondment from the Ghana Police Service draw their salaries from the Police but two others Mr. Victor Smith, secretary to the ex-President and Tina Mensah, an administrative secretary have not been paid for the past seven months.

The ex-President is reported to be depending on his allowance as a United Nations Eminent Person and his End-of- Service benefit of 120 million cedis awarded to him by the NDC government before handing over power to the NPP on January 7.

Article 68 (2) of the constitution of the Republic of Ghana states that “The President shall not, on leaving office as President hold any office of profit or emolument, except with permission of Parliament, in any establishment, either directly or indirectly, other than that of the State.”

Article 68 (4) goes on to say that “On leaving office, the President shall receive a gratuity in addition to pension, equivalent to his salary and other allowances and facilities prescribed by Parliament.”

The Minister for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey says he is unaware that the Former President has not been receiving his gratuity. A letter from the government dated June 8 however informed the former President that a Cabinet sub-committee had been tasked by President Kufuor to work on resettlement and other benefits for the ex-President.

Mr. Victor Smith declined to comment on the issue but admitted that neither the ex-President nor his workers have been paid their salaries for the past seven months.