Twifo Atimorkwa Former Assembly Members Stage Massive Demonstration To Demand Ex-Gratia

Former assembly members of the 8th Assembly of Twifo Ati-morkwa District Assembly in the Central Region have taken to the streets, demonstrating against the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Robert Agyemang Nyantakyi, to demand their end-of-service benefits, also known as ex-gratia.

According to them, the benefits that have been outstanding for 4 years (2019-2023) are mandated by the Local Government Act (Act 936), section 11 (2); the assembly is required to determine ex-gratia payments based on its revenue capacity after the end of each tenure.

However, the Twifo Atimorkwa District Assembly has failed to fulfill this obligation since the end of its term.

The disgruntled assembly members, consisting of 42 elected members and government appointees, have made numerous efforts to resolve the issue, but to no avail.

They accuse the DCE and the District Coordinating Director of not doing enough to address their concerns.

During the demonstration, the former assembly members wore red armbands and shirts, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Pay us our ex-gratia,” “Enough is enough,” and “Treat us as you want others to treat you.”

The leader of the aggrieved Assemblymembers Hon Silas Kwame Dankwa Assembly member Twifo Kayireku, Ahyire electoral Area who is also the Tufuhene of Twifoman Traditional Council with stool name Nana Anyimadu Mensah III explained their ordeal to Angel News Shadrack Owusu Asante.

Some of the Assembly members hinted that they are going to picket for one week to ensure their concerns are well addressed.

Despite the unfortunate absence of the District Chief Executive (DCE) and the District Coordinating Director, the District Agric Director, Mr. John Tawiah Aidoo, graciously received the petition on their behalf, ensuring its safe delivery and alleviating concerns.

Story by Kwame Owusu Asante Shadrack