Arthur K. Celebrates Togbe Afede For Returning Obscene Ex-Gratia

US-based Ghanaian doctor and leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, has commended the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, Togbe Afede XIV, for returning Ghc365, 000 that he discovered had been paid to him as ex-gratia for serving in the Council of State for four years.

In a video message, Dr. Kennedy said the public-spirited act is commendable because it is rare in Ghana.

“Regardless of his motives, I think giving Ghc365,000 back as ex-gratia that he thinks he did not deserve is a thing we should celebrate. We do not support good acts because whoever does those acts has always been a saint,” Dr. Kennedy said.

He added, “We should praise good things because small good things can eventually lead to big good things.”

Togbe Afede XIV has been receiving commendations from around the country after he returned Ghc365, 000 that the Akufo-Addo government had paid into his account for serving on the Council of State from 2016 to 2020.

Upon discovering the payment, the king of Asogli returned it with a cover letter explaining he thought that amount of money was too much for one person to receive for serving his country for just four years and receiving salary for that service.

Interestingly, following that public-spirited act, minions of the Akufo-Addo government have been accusing the King of deliberate populist stunting.

There also are others who have said that the money was paid to trap him, but Togbe Afede has since written a statement explaining he only returned the money out of good conscience because he believed it is improper to receive such huge ex-gratia.

“I am hoping that this will inspire more soul-searching and examination of consciences by others who served on the council of State with him so that they too can return ex-gratia that was undeserved. I hope that this will lead for example to soul searching by Parliamentarians who’ve gotten ex-gratia five or six times something that you are supposed to get for only one retirement and when these things happen, then it will be good for our country,” Dr. Arthur Kennedy said.