NDC Member of Parliament for Bongo, Edward Bawa says the government's refusal to allow former President John Dramani Mahama to stay in his Cantonment official residence after leaving office is an act of betrayal.
Hon. Bawa explained on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' that the former President's request to keep his current residence and use Bungalow at Ridge in Accra as his office was predicated on an agreement between him and President Nana Akufo-Addo.
According to him, some behind-the-scene meetings were held on the issue with the former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah sending a letter to the government for a conclusion to be made.
The NDC MP for Bongo wondered why the issue was blown out of proportion and made to appear that the government had no prior knowledge about the former President's request.
He described the government's refusal that has led to former President John Mahama withdrawing his request as a "betrayal of agreement".
He however commended the former President for his subsequent decision not to keep his official residence.
On Tuesday, January 10 the former President John Mahama wrote to President Nana Akufo-Addo withdrawing his request.
He cited in the letter headlined "Official Residence and Office" that the request has been withdrawn because it threatens the relationship between the current administration and the former government.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.
"I do recognize 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."
“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 I had never requested to purchase the property; my request is, therefore, humbly withdrawn,” Mr.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 wrote.
On his part, former NPP MP for Ahafo Ano South, Stephen Balado Manu commended the former President for withdrawing his earlier request stating that he would have set a bad precedent in the country should he have kept insisting to retain his official residence after leaving the seat of government.
He noted that it would have created a new trend asking what the nation would become if President Nana Akufo-Addo also requests to keep the Flagstaff House after leaving office.
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Really?? Did he grant Kuffour's request? abaa y3di b)) takyi no...
I thought President said he was in control till midnight of January6, 2017. Why then was he consulting other people to grant him certain rights. He had the audacity to make appointments without consulting the Transition Team why his now' Please get out of that place .It is not as of right to occupy this place.
Mr. Mahama, were you not the president when the meeting went on?? were u not making new appointments without consulting the new government? i d i o t . masa vacate from that place immediately
THESE PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE STILL IN POWER AND WILL NOT STOP THEIR ***barred word*** PROPAGANDA THAT LED TO THEIR HUMILIATING DEFEAT.THEY THINK THEY WILL WALK FREE WITH THEIR STOLEN FIL-THY MONIES.TH-I-E-VES
WE ARE IN ERA OF CHANGE. ANY BAD DEAL WOULD NO LONGER BE BINDING. I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE BONGO MP TO SEE THE BAD FAITH BY WHICH MAHAMA HAD ACTED TO REQUEST THE RESIDENCE AND CONDEMN IT. MANY IN NDC LIKE BONGO MP HAVE POOR SENSE OF JUDGEMENT. THEY CANNOT BE JUST TO SEE THE EVIL OF MAHAMA REQUEST TO CONDEMN IT. WHERE IS KWESI PRATT THE THE SELF STYLED CHAMPION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.
Your reasons are so lame. Staying in a bangalow doesnt determine your status. weak minds
You Guys IN NDC HAVE NO SHAME!! AFTER 2009 AND CONSIDERING THE CHRONICLE OF EVENTS ON THIS ISSUE YOU GUYS CREATED AFTER THE ABROGATION OF CHINERY-HESSE RECOMMENDATIONS IN 2009, Professor Ewurama Addy Committee IN 2011 & Office Holders Emoluments Committee headed by Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh (INCLUDING PROF. AHWOI) Reports & RECOMMENDATIONS - ***barred word*** JDM STILL HAD THE AUDACITY TO REQEUST FOR THAT WITHOUT ANY GUILT OR SHAME????
#yooyatewai
Whether there was prior discussion or not, the property is not for even the sitting president but for the people of Ghana so he cannot arbitrarily allocate it to the former president. I still find it very difficult when people come out to defend this kind of request. The former president should also wait for at least about 8 years for the state to construct a residential accommodation for him like he did to ex president Kuffour
Mahama staying there shows that he is the current vice president, but rather not Bawumia. Because the place is assigned for vice presidents only. This shows that he is still in power or shadow vice president which Ghanaians shouldn't allowed to happen. Leave office and go means please go without any argument. Where does he expect Bawumia to stay now? Please out immediately mr. Mahama and save journey to where ever you want to go.