The government of president Adama Barrow is planning to present a new measure that will provide ex-presidents of The Gambia and their wives lifelong pensions, gratuities, and other perks.

Finance Minister Seedy Keita will present the law, known as The Former Presidents law 2023, at the National Assembly’s next Extraordinary Session in the 2023 legislative year.
The law would create the office of former president, which would exist from the day the former president ceased to be president for the duration of that person’s life.

If approved, the government would have to hire at least four employees, including a personal assistant and personal secretary, and equip the former president’s office to cabinet-level standards within six months after the president’s departure.
Retirement Plans

Pensions: For the remainder of the former president’s life, the government will provide a monthly pension, payable in arrears, equivalent to the salary of a sitting president.

Addendum

The law states that the government must pay a former president a non-taxable lump sum gratuity within 30 days of the former president’s departure from office. The gratuity may only be given once and is equivalent to six months of the former president’s gross income from the time of their final employment.

Make accommodations

In the event that a former president chooses to live in a home of their own, the government will maintain the home and provide utilities, internet, and other amenities. A former president will also be given a fully furnished residence, including other amenities for their comfort.

Security and personnel

Additionally, the government will give a former president with two chefs, four housekeepers, and two gardeners to help in their home. The former president will choose who will fill these positions.

Furthermore, for the duration of their life, a former president and their spouse will get round-the-clock security protection.

Procedure

An ex-president is entitled to decency both within and outside of the Gambia. In addition, the government will provide a former president and their spouse a lifetime diplomatic passport. The past presidents will also take their seats at any public event in chronological sequence, after the vice president in office.

Health coverage

It also specifies that in the event that a former president or his spouse requires specialized medical care that is not accessible domestically, the government will offer insurance to cover medical and dental expenses, including travel expenses.

Automobiles

A previous president must also get three brand-new chauffeur-driven cars from the current administration, including with gasoline, insurance, maintenance, and taxes. Every five years, these cars will have to be replaced with new ones.

Holiday

Every year, the government will pay for a past president, their spouse, and one staff member to take a one-month vacation to a location of their choosing.

Spouse’s allowance in case of death

In the event that the measure is approved, the government will provide monthly allowances to the surviving spouse of a former president at a rate equivalent to 25% of the president’s yearly gross income. This stipend is not provided for any time that the spouse retains a post with a government salary associated to it. It starts the day after the former president passes away and ends on the final day of the month before the widow passes away.

Payment for all benefits will come from the Consolidated Fund.