‘You’re the change we want to see’ – VP of Imani Africa praises Togbe Afede for rejecting 365,000 ex-gratia

Togbe Afede XIV, the Agbogbomefia of Asogli State, has been praised by Kofi Bentil, vice president of Imani Africa, for refusing to accept a GHS365,000 ex-gratia from the state for sitting on the Council of State.

The respected traditional leader has become a subject of discussion on social and traditional media as a consequence of his refusal of the large quantity of money, with many Ghanaians admiring him and pushing others to follow in his footsteps.

According to a statement released by the Agbogbomefia, he received a monthly salary and allowances while serving on the Council of State, thus he does not feel the need to pay the ex-gratia.

In a statement, he clarified: “I confirmed from the Council of State Secretariat that the sum of 365, 392.67 was paid into my account as ex-gratia. I thought the extra payment was inappropriate for the short, effectively part-time work, for which I received a monthly salary and was entitled to other privileges. So I was very uncomfortable with it.

“I did not think the payment was made to trap me, as is being speculated. I believe it was paid to everybody who served on the Council of State. However, I thought that extra payment was inappropriate for a short, effectively part-time work, for which I received a monthly salary and was entitled to other privileges. So, I was very uncomfortable with it.

“After weeks of trying, I obtained advice on how to refund inappropriate payments to the State, and on March 4, 2022, I made the refund into the Controller & Accountant General’s Department Suspense Account at the Bank of Ghana.”

Bentil reacted to Togbe Afede’s statesmanlike display of love for his nation by saying that politicians who call themselves “honourable” yet have no good conscience, such as the previous president of the National House of Chiefs, should be ashamed.

In a post on Facebook, Kofi Bentil wrote;

“Dear Togbi Afede

“You won more respect! You’re the change we want to see. “I wish those who take poor peoples money for a part time job will grow a conscience! When I see them pretending to be honorable it makes me sick! “ Kofi Bentil wrote on his Facebook page.

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