There has not been any agreement yet to grant a request for former President John Dramani Mahama to keep his official residence at No 3 Prestige Link at Cantonments in Accra as part of his retirement agreement, the Spokesperson of the NPP Transitional Team, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has said.
According to him, a decision on the former President’s request would be communicated as “soon as possible.”
He said President Akufo-Addo has just started work on Monday morning by first inspecting a guard of honour.
“He is just starting work as President. He now has the power to sign off on some decisions. There is a recommendation that has been made by our side of the Transition Team and he will ratify or disagree with that recommendation and then an announcement will be made,” Mr Oppong-Nkrumah said in a radio interview on Joy FM.
He was responding to a statement from Former President John Dramani Mahama's office that urged the public to ignore claims suggesting that he had "hijacked" his residence, contrary to what the Transition Act stipulates.
The Transition Act states that the former President should be offered an official retirement home and an office.
Following from that Mr Mahama has indicated that he would like to have Bungalow No.3, Prestige Link, Cantonments and its adjoining facilities as his official home and Bungalow No.6, 3rd Avenue, Ridge, Accra as his office.
Mahama's response
"Contrary to the claims being made that HE John Dramani Mahama, former President of the Republic of Ghana, has refused to vacate his residence, we wish to state and confirm that per the information officially communicated to the newly inaugurated administration following discussions by the Joint Transition Team, President Mahama will continue to maintain his current place of residence as his retirement home," President Mahama's statement said.
It added: "The decision and agreement on the place of residence and office for the former President was formally communicated to the new administration by the former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah on December 19, 2016.
The Sixth Parliament of the 4th Republic before its dissolution, also resolved that residential and office accommodation should be provided to the outgoing President, HE John Dramani Mahama in line with convention and existing precedent," the statement added.
"The claims that Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia is stranded and has nowhere to stay, is mischievous and deliberately intended to embarrass President Mahama."
"The Vice President is expected to take up residence in the House known as Australia House, which was previously occupied by former Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur.
An Official and Permanent residence for the Vice President is currently under construction, off the Switchback road. Dr. Bawumia will move into the new structure when completed."
….more to follow soon
Source: Graphic.com.gh
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If we don't put a stop to this deed, it will set a bad precedent. As citizens, we must place the interest of the state above any individual's interests. That residence is occupied by vice presidents who are obligated to work for the state. Mahama is no longer working for the state so his arguments does not hold water. If he and his vice Prez reached a gentlemanly agreement for the latter to stay in the Australian House, that is between him and his vice. In his own interest and the interest of the state, I implore him to leave. Dr. Bawumiah needs an accommodation to work for the country.
I can bet you that Mahama has got JUJU and occult things in that house. Like Dr Berkley's house, vacation would lead to lots of skeletons. Lets kick him out
Mr. President please let what u said be a guiding principle to you 'that you will protect the public purse' A word to the wise is enough
What did the Buandoh Comm. on Emoluments recommend with respect to the official residence and office issue? The transition act cannot be taken in isolation in considering this matter and the Ghanaian taxpayer will not be supporting giving out of state assets to presidents and whatnots in the public service. There are over a 1000 and one public service employees and after 40 to 50 years service to the state, they are not handed official residences. What is good for the goose must be very excellent for the gander. Either Mahama moves out or Ghana starts constructing similar such residences for all public servants who put in over 30 years of service to the state and retire or go on pension. That should be the minimum standard if this level of absurdity is to stand in this country.
So for all the time Mahama was president, the presidential palace was not big enough for him, so much so that he was also keeping his previous residence as vice president. What is wrong with the black man?
Oppong Nkrumah W o m a n I z e r when did you joined politics, where from that one too W o m a n I z e r just dont try to be a baby with sharp teeth , when we were we in the NPP where were u
There is an uncompleted building in Awoshie last stop. It can be rented and completed for ex-President John Mahama until a suitable place is gotten for him la!!
Mahama and The NDC people, do you remember what you did to ex-president Kufour? What goes round comes around
pls go to ur home town and stay der,dats wat we told kuffour,and we re telling you too,wat is all dis,
This man is too greedy why, u chop de state money for Eeight years, n now u want to steal a government property.JM go n stay in ur own house the state will give you ur retirement home. GREEDY PEOPLE!!!