Former MMDCEs Ask Mahama for Unpaid Benefits

Former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who served under the Akufo-Addo administration have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to prioritize the payment of their end-of-service benefits.

In a letter dated December 15, the ex-officials cited hardship, particularly as the Christmas season approaches, as the reason for their plea. They requested the President to consider their situation and expedite the payment of their benefits.

Leo-Nelson Adzidogah, former Municipal Chief Executive for Akatsi South, made the appeal on behalf of his colleagues. “On behalf of the former MMDCEs who served under the immediate past government of President Nana Akufo-Addo, I respectfully wish to appeal to your high office to kindly find space to accommodate the payment of our End of Service Benefits on your high priority list,” he wrote in the letter.

Acknowledging the current government’s financial constraints, the former MMDCEs emphasized they harboured no ill will regarding the payment delay. “We know that your hands are full in terms of payment of outstanding bills. We therefore do not hold any grudge against you on account of the delay in payment of the benefit,” the letter stated.

However, they underscored the personal difficulties caused by the delayed payments. “We are on our knees, fervently praying and appealing to you to consider our humble plea on humanitarian grounds so that our claims can be paid to give us relief in our current predicament,” they pleaded.

The group reminded President Mahama of the precedent set in 2017, when his predecessor, President Akufo-Addo, swiftly paid the benefits of outgoing MMDCEs within six months of assuming office. “I humbly want to crave your kind indulgence to draw your attention to the payment of the service benefits to the MMDCEs who served in your first term by President Akufo-Addo in 2017. This payment was done within six months of coming to power,” the letter recalled.

They explained that it is customary for a new administration to settle the end-of-service obligations of the previous one, given the transitional challenges faced by outgoing governments. “It is an established practice that it is always the succeeding government that pays the benefits to the former MMDCEs because it is practically not possible for the outgoing government to sort out the claims for payment because of the transitional issues,” they stated.

The former MMDCEs expressed hope for a positive response, especially before the Christmas festivities. “I humbly once again wish to crave your highest indulgence to give a favourable consideration to our humble plea so that we can be sorted out to enable us to enjoy the Christmas season with our families,” the letter added.

They also welcomed the sympathetic comments made by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and expressed optimism that the President would heed their call. “We take delight in the sympathy and concern expressed by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for our plights as former MMDCEs and sincerely hope that you will be kindly touched and demonstrate your usual kindness, humanity and love for us,” the letter concluded.

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