It appears the immediate past President, John Dramani Mahama, will not have breathing space anytime soon, as controversies surrounding his request to keep a state bungalow as a retirement home, takes a new twist.
In a letter dated January 10, 2017, withdrawing his request for the residence after a huge public condemnation, the President did not only copy Nana Akufo-Addo, but also the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and by extension the Manhyia Palace.
The decision to copy the Asantehene has left many questioning the role the King may have played in the entire saga. There are unconfirmed reports that a meeting may have taken place between Mr. John Mahama and President Akufo-Addo, at which meeting a decision was reached by both transition teams, to allow the former President maintain his official residence as his retirement home.
If such an agreement was reached for the Ex-President to keep the residence, then one wonders why the new government is now claiming not to have approved the request for Mr. John Mahama. Below is Mr. John Mahama’s letter officially withdrawing the request for the residential and office facilities.
OFFICIAL RESIDENCE AND OFFICE
I refer to our agreement on the above subject matter and wish to inform you that, I have decided to formally withdraw both requests to continue to stay at my current place of residence, No. 3 Prestige Link, Cantonments, and also to use bungalow No. 6, 3rd Avenue, Ridge as my office.
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 your 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, 4th January, 2017 at its Twenty-Second Sitting of the Third Meeting of the Fourth Session.
You will recall, Mr. President, that contrary to the erroneous impression created by some persons in Government, and the interpretation given to the formal letter submitted on my behalf by Julius Debrah, this 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 My request is therefore humbly withdrawn. As always, my family and I wish you well in your endeavours as you strive to consolidate and advance the gains made by successive Governments.
Kind regards, H. E John Dramani Mahama Former President, Republic of Ghana H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo President of the Republic of Ghana cc. Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II Manhyia Palace Kumasi-Ghana.
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