Peacefmonline.com can authoritatively confirm that former President John Mahama has written to President Nana Akufo-Addo withdrawing his earlier request to keep his current residence located at No.3 Prestige Link, Cantonments, Accra as part of his retirement package.
The former president personally wrote to the current President, Nana Akufo-Addo rescinding his initially expressed interest.
The letter, which has been sighted by Peacefmonline, is also copied the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Letter
Portions of the letter headlined "Official Residence And Office" indicated that the request is being withdrawn because it threatens the relationships between the current administration and the former government.
“It would appear that these requests threaten to mar the spirit of cooperation with which we as co-chairs of the joint transition team have managed the smooth transfer of power from my administration to yours. I believe that this controversy is absolutely not needed in these early days as the government settles into office," Mr Mahama wrote.
"I do recognise that these are facilities that are conventionally extended to presidents that leave office and I am also mindful of the approval by the Parliament of the republic of Ghana on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at its 22nd sitting of the third meeting of the 4th session.
In the letter, the former president also accused some persons in government of creating the false impression that he requested to purchase the property.
“You would recall, Mr President that contrary to the erroneous impression created by some persons in government and the interpretation given to the former letter submitted on my behalf by Mr Julius Debrah, this was a follow-up to an agreement we had on my choice of accommodation and office. I had never requested to purchase the property; my request is, therefore, humbly withdrawn,” Mr Mahama added.
There has been a massive hue and cry over the decision by former President Mahama to appropriate the official residence as part of his end-of-service package.
Mr Mahama’s critics say his earlier quest to keep the property was unlawful.
The residence, bungalow No.3, situated at Prestige Link, Cantonments in Accra, has been designated as official accommodation for the country’s Vice-Presidents but was still inhabited by the former President becoming President of Ghana.
The residence has been the official house for sitting vice presidents.
Mr Mahama was supposed to vacate the property a day before the investiture of President Nana Akufo-Addo, per Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
A Presidential Emoluments committee Mahama formed before handing over, had recommended that the exiting president be paid 40% of his salary as rent allowance. But after Parliament accepted this recommendation, President John Mahama caused fresh changes in the recommendation which was later brought back to parliament.
Though the Akufo-Addo government has agreed to provide the ex-president a residential facility, it says it has not acceded to the request sent by the Former Chief of Staff of the Former President, Julius Debrah for Former President Mahama to keep his residence as President.
Leader of the new government’s side of the transition team, Yaw Osafo Marfo told journalists: "We have not approved of his request, and I want to repeat we have received the request and the requests are two – for him to be given his ex-gratia where he lives and also be given another property as his office".
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Kudos! Continue to maintain your dignity.
NPP SHOULD LEARN FROM LATE ATTA MILLS WHO CAME AND HAD TO INCUR THE WRATH OF HIS PARTY FOUNDER JJ FOR NOT WITCH-HUNTING AND HARASSING THE THEN NPP OFFICIALS AFTER LOOSING THE ELECTION JUST FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECONCILIATION AND UNITY OF GHANA. HE EVEN ASKED THEN NPP DCES TO HOLD THE FORD TILL NEW ONES ARE APPOINTED BY HIS ADMINISTRATION. WHAT IS MORE THAN THIS?. IF YOU NOW COME AND YOU ARE HUMILIATING THE IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT LIKE THIS IS UNFAIR. AT LEAST, YOU COULD SIMPLY WRITE TO HIM THAT HIS REQUEST HAS BEEN DECLINED AND NOT JUMPING FROM ONE MEDIA HOUSE TO THE OTHER AND SAYING ALL SORT OF THINGS. WE MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT IT IS THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT THAT IS BEING VILIFIED AND NOT MAHAMA AS A PERSON. AGAIN, NPP SHOULD BEAR IN MIND THAT THEY CANNOT RULE GHANA FOREVER AND ONE DAY THE TABLE WILL TURN AGAINST THEM. NPP MUST LEARN TO BE CIVIL AND MODERN IN THEIR SCHEME OF THINGS. A WORD TO THE WISE IS ENOUGH.
Why copy Asantehene. What does he want Asantehene to do for him. Is Asantehene a king maker in Ghana? I can't think far.
congratulations Mr President. you did us proud. Time will tell who is indeed the good person. leave it all in God's hands
hahahhah u think this will mk our eyes die and have compassion for you! daabi da, massa by friday move out! m glad the people would not even wait for the leaders to decide, we are tired of your greedy stealing ways no one will have compassion on you, next time if you are offered any opportunity in life be wise and plan for your furture. you thougth you were the master ***barred word*** so you would steal your way back and therefore did not prepare for the future.massa wa ky3 koraa na tu!
WHY IS IT THAT NPP ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE POLITICS SO DIRTY??NOW NANA ADDO HAS LOST THE GOOD WILL OF WELL MEANING GHANAIANS!! JM IS ADMIRED BY EVERYBODY IN GHANA.NANA SEEMS NOT TO HAVE A MIND OF HIS OWN BUT BOWS TO PRESSURE!!!
This will NOT deceive us into thinking that you did NOT STEAL state funds to purchase MANSIONS elsewhere. WE KNOW YOU DID. Only shallow minds will believe the trick you were pulling on us, 'that you had no place to move'? Tell this to the marines! Now we are going to audit you and your CREATE, LOOT & SHARE government line by line. WICKED, CORRUPT & INSENSITIVE NDC!
Mr. President, I knew you will rise up to the occasion Sir! Was really mad at you in the first place for causing these evil beings to drag your name to such lowly levels. You have always made us very proud and have still done just that!!! Wish a could hand over my uncompleted building over to you.....but as President it will not be ideal. Thank you and God bless you Sir. You will always be my President Sir!!!
Respect you Mr. president for this decision. They can now decide to rear fowls or pigs there, that is no ones business. Kudos Mr. president. You have always made me proud.
Never try to beg or bend the law. it will always give u away.