Former President John Dramani Mahama has explained that his decision to maintain the state residence he occupied while in office, contrary to recommendations made by a committee he set up to recommend emoluments of Article 71 office holders and his retirement package, was approved by the new government and Parliament.
A statement from the office of John Mahama said, 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 statement also noted that, Parliament approved of the new development. The Prof. Dora Francisca Edu- Buandoh committee’s report sighted by citifmonline.com, recommended that John Mahama should retire on a salary of GH¢22,809, up from the non-taxable salary of GH¢15,972 previously approved for presidents.
Instead of going home with a fully furnished house in Accra and another location of his choice outside the capital, the committee recommended Mr. Mahama should rather receive “40 percent of [his] salary to be paid monthly.”
This was a deviation from the Chinery-Hesse Committee Report (2001-2005) which said, former Presidents should receive “one fully furnished residence in the national capital and one out-of-capital at a location of the former President’s choice; all of which should not revert to the state in the event of the demise of the former President.”
Bawumia not stranded
John Mahama’s successor, President Nana Akufo-Addo, took over the administration of Ghana over the weekend.
There were reports that Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia was stranded, since his residence is being occupied by John Mahama. But Mr. Mahama in the statement rejected the said claims and described it as “mischievous.”
According to him, 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.”
Mahama’s retirement package
According to the report, the outgoing President, while on retirement should receive benefits such as state-provided staff not exceeding four (4), and a furnished and up-to-date office and communication equipment, and staff support consisting of a cook, steward and gardener.
In the area of security, “the state will provide two security persons to be chosen by the former President from state security. Two vehicles for security.”
Source: Citi fm
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
This is the shameful end of your presidency, Mr. Mahama. Now here you are begging Opana to agree to you taking a state house as your own. May the Fear of God never leave my eyes. The man you so vilified, so insulted, so disdained claiming it was not possible for him to be president now here you are at his mercy. In fact the house is not for Nana Addo our president. I fear God pass man. To God be the glory. I have learned many lessons from this victory. Only God could have brought it about.
Mr. Mahama I have lost what respect I had for you. Aba. For your own self esteem you should not even request that the property be given you let alone defend such an indefensible proposition. You are just too greedy. With all your acquired and stolen wealth why can't you go and buy for yourself a property other than this. Shame on you. You are indeed just too greedy. You have soon forgotten the shameful treatment your party gave to erstwhile President Kuffuor. This is Ghana's property and it must not be given to you. You and your family members properties lined up on that street at East Legon are not enough for you? Shame. Despicable president
Mahama must vacate the place for Bawumia now... Show us where you want to live and the state will build you one. That is the law... By the way your NDC refuse to provide for John Kuffuor. You see the world? This is called the law of kama.... Next time be fair to all including even your enemies.
Then Mahama can still perch in the Flagstaff House as your retirement accommodation.... He has taken the incompetent and corrupt behaviour into retirement. Mahama must vacate the place for Bawumia now......
Which employee of the state seizes state property by force and claims they are his retirement package at the end of his tenure? How dare John Mahama! Enough of the ***barred word***!
Approved by who? Remember, your own directive issued on 15th November 2013 on the abolition of the policy that allows public office holders to purchase state bungalows allocated to them is still in force. In any case you made a request to the transition team and am not sure you have a written response yet. Gentleman, don't embarrass yourself with this petty issue. Just pack out and leave peacefully.
Leave the state own house now!!!!!!!!!.....you should have plan well,this shows how incompetent you were. Loot and share,no condition is permanent. You will now be steady a.p.u.u.u.u.u.
Our noble president, we would have preferred that you dont talk at all when these uneducated literates raise such issues. They dont know anything than to accuse all the time.
it is the year 2024, December 7th and NANA Addo is proceeding to retirement after His successful second term then he asks for the presidential accommodation possibly peduase lodge. worse of all Mahama instigated committee recommends that buildings allocated to living past presidents must remain properties of their families. What an aberration.