The Global Vandals Network has commended Togbe Afede XIV for refunding his ex gratia payment to the state, describing the decision as an act of principle, integrity and exemplary leadership.
The group, made up of alumni of the University of Ghana Commonwealth Hall, said Togbe Afede deserved the payment as an Article 71 office holder but chose to place morality above legal entitlement.
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In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Daniel Nyamadi, the group praised the decision to return the GH¢365,000 received for serving a four-year term as a non-full-time member of the Council of State.
According to the group, the amount was significant, especially when compared with the pensions received by many public sector workers after decades of service.
The statement said acts of integrity such as Togbe Afede’s should be celebrated because they inspire positive leadership and national development.
It further argued that positions on the Council of State were intended for accomplished individuals who wished to contribute their expertise to national development, with recognition and public respect serving as their primary reward rather than financial gain.
The group expressed concern that Council of State appointments had increasingly become associated with financial benefits, particularly through the payment of ex gratia.
It noted that one of Togbe Afede’s reasons for returning the money was that the Council of State role was not a full-time position and that the funds could be better used to improve the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
The Global Vandals Network also called for reforms to Article 71 of the Constitution, describing the current ex gratia arrangement as an unsustainable burden on the country’s finances.
The group joined other prominent Ghanaians in advocating the removal or review of constitutional provisions that grant such benefits, arguing that public service should be motivated by a commitment to national development rather than personal financial gain.
