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 My request is therefore humbly withdrawn.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.
Source: citifmonline.com
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Pls read the article very well. Everything shows that 3 of them met and that was the conclusion but Nana was not bold enough to stand by the agreement because of what his party people are saying . an early indication that he will disappoint ghanainas
Akuffo Addo or any member of the transition team had no power at that time to enter into any agreement with Mahama. He was not the president and therefore could not have committed the country to any agreement.
Your plea to Ghanaians to leave the Asantehene out of this matter is misdirected. If indeed your speculation that the Asantehene might have advised Mahama to relinquish the bungalow is anything to go by, I believe it wouldn't be necessary to officially serve him a copy of the letter. In that way the Asantehene would have been spared any criticism. But Mahama, as I know him, decided to copy the Asantehene on purpose - out of m1schief!
The "agreement" Mahama refers to seems to have been reached with Asantehene's counsel after the public outcry resulting from his "property grabbing" request to the new President. That agreement was for Mahama not be distract the sitting president with such fraudulent request which threatened this "needless" controversy. It was not a agreement for Mahama to keep the houses, but rather to let go. In short, the Otumfuor admonished Mahama to let go the houses; that is why Mahama found it expedient to copy him the withdrawal letter. I will plead with all Ghanaians to keep Otumfuor out of this, and help Mahama out of his Power Withdrawal Syndrome. From the eleventh hour appointments to sensitive positions, awarding of new contracts, cutting of sword for future projects, commissioning of uncompleted projects; and now, leeching on state propertied - all projects a destooled chief refusing to give off power after the stool has been taken away from him. Mahama in his Power Withdrawal Syndrome is behalving like a baby being weened off breast milk - "baaby kaafo, ne mmwe omami etei .....?
Why did he not copy the Ga Mantse? If he was serious he should have copied the Ga Mantse given the history of some NDC Ga youth and Ex Prez Kufuor. And whilst copying the Asantehene, he should have put it in there that after his reign as Asantehene, his family or he should put in a request to the Kumasi Traditional Council for them to keep the Manhyia Palace as his "end of reign" package. it would complete the whole matter.
Are these what Matin Amidu talked about the Mahama is using chief to plead on his behalf in many things? IT WILL NOT WORK. Whatever was for Ghanaians that Mahama and his CREATE, LOOT & SHARE have STOLEN will be RETRIEVED and NO CHIEF can save him.
You twerps shouldn't bring the asantehene in to this. Do you have any idea of the meditating role he is playing in this country using his position
You'd think there's gold to be mined under that building! And you copy otum4 because he's your new in-law?! Oh maybe that's where you wanted to house your latest baby mama???! And I'll keep saying it, Otum4 is the most fraudulent Asantejene till date! Copying him just shows how fraudulent Mahama himself is!
Ghanaians would hope that prominent chiefs like the Asantehene will not try to influence the new government in the discharge of its duties.President Akuffo Addo must be careful of this and concentrate on giving Ghana a good administration devoid of consideration for corrupt officials. Former President Mahama's decision not to take the house is normal,he didnt have the right to do so.
Now I understand the statement by Martin Amidu that some chiefs are pleading on behalf of ex president Mahama in order not investigate and prosecute his corrupt regime. Nana Asantehene please stay out of this if you value your image and kingdom. President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo if you want to be one time president and send your party to opposition again, go ahead and dance to their tune. Strangely Manyhia is now flagstaff house extension where copies of presidential memos are served. Hmmmmm