<<Print>>President John Dramani Mahama has given a further clarification on the decision to accept a 2010 Ford Expedition vehicle as a ‘gift’, from a Burkinabe contractor, saying he does not even like American cars. In his latest comments on the allegations, the President said, “I don’t use Fords.
I don’t like American cars. I use Japanese cars. Toyota is my car.” Speaking during a breakfast meeting with the clergy at the Flagstaff House, President Mahama also indicated that, he did not view the gift from the Burkinabe contractor as a gift to the state, adding that, he has not used it for his personal comfort. “The issue of a Ford Expedition, I have never been under the illusion that gift was a gift to the State and it has never been used for my personal comfort,” he said.
The president also noted that he is aware that some Ghanaians have petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), over the issue, and he will respond to it in due time. “It is matter for the Commission on Human Rights. I hear there is a petition there and appropriately, we will respond to it.” Accusations baseless Speaking on the matter for the first time on Wednesday, President Mahama dared his critics accusing him of corruption, to deal with him using the constitution if they deemed it fit. “If you believe I have indulged in corruption, you have the constitutional means to do what you want to do but when you make baseless rumors and accusations, it won’t win you the presidency,” the President stated firmly.
Background President John Dramani Mahama has come under intense public criticism for accepting the car gift worth about US$100,000 from a Burkinabe contractor, who was subsequently awarded a contract from the state. The Burkinabe, Djibril Kanazoe, has admitted giving President Mahama a Ford Expedition vehicle, for which the President called to thank him. The gift, according to reports, was prior to an attempt by the contractor, to win a bid to execute the Dodo Pepeso-Nkwanta road construction project. The same contractor had also been contracted to build a wall, at a cost of over half a million dollars, for the Ghana Embassy in Ouagadougou. – By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana