<<Print>>

A series of damage control efforts was unleashed yesterday by the Osu Castle, the seat of government to douse the fire stoked by a supposed �gift� of a mansion to President J.E.A. Mills. The presidency deployed all of its communication team to douse the raging fire of the alleged mansion donated to President Mills by Regimanuel Gray. One of the measures was a denial by the Communications Director, Koku Anyidoho, the very person who told the public that the house in question was a gift from Regimanuel Gray as �a token� to the president, even though Ghanaians had not been told what the president had done for the estate developers to warrant the gesture. However, realizing the damage caused to the president with fingers of corruption pointed at him, the communication team went overdrive, hacking every impediment on its way. Unable to stomach the damage caused to President Mills, his Director of Communications went ballistic, venting his frustrations on Peace FM with a threat of court action, after he accused the station of putting out false information that he said the house was a token from Regimanuel to president Mills. However, Koku Anyidoho was badly exposed when subsequently, Peace FM played the interview he granted the Tema-based Adom FM, saying that Regimanuel indeed the said house to the president as a �token of appreciation�. The story, as put out by Peace FM, he said, was a complete fabrication because he did not grant interview to the network. The radio station has apologized to the gentleman, saying that the interview was with Adom FM, during which he made the disclosure that the building was a gift, a position which he has since shifted to rental, after he assembled the Castle press corps and pro government rag tags to the site, which is still under construction. Upon reaching the site, with uncontrollable anger, Anyidoho further said, �Gentlemen, this is it. Yet, Peacefmonline creates the impression, put out a total falsehood that I granted an interview to them saying that it is a gift from Regimanuel Gray. I never spoke to Peacefmonline, never had on this matter. The facts speak for themselves and like I said, personally, I will deal with Peace FM and Peacefmonline, because I need to redeem my image on this matter. But as regards to His Excellency, The President, this is it, it�s obvious it is not a gift. Regimanuel Gray is bearing the initial cost and per the tenancy agreement, the president would make good the repayment to Regimanuel Gray.� Peacefmonline.com has stood by its story that Koku Anyidoho did say the building is a token to the president by Regimanuel Gray. Details about the controversial outhouse under construction for security personnel guarding the president�s private house to pee, pooh-pooh and relax have mutated from the initial ones released when the story broke. From the explanation that it was a token to the President by Regimanuel Gray, estate developers, the story line now is that it is on rental basis, purely commercial and thereby prompting fresh questions. The building, which was needed so urgently to house the president�s security detail whenever he visits his wife in his private residence, is still at footing level, almost five months since its commencement. Copies of the correspondences between the president and the private estate developers regarding the building are now in the public domain. In his latest outburst on the alleged gift, Koku Anyidoho has shifted from his earlier disclosure that it is a house gift to a reference that it is an outhouse to serve as a washroom for security personnel guarding the president�s private house on the Spintex Road. Although an outhouse, as he explained, it contained a number of bedrooms, the number of which he was unable to mention when he spoke to Joy FM yesterday. The revised statement from Koku Anyidoho regarding the gift indicates that the deal is commercial and that the president is going to pay for the house. The correspondences between the president and the estate developers commenced on 7th April, 2011, according to a copy of the initial letter signed by the president himself. Titled �Rental Accommodation To House Security Personnel� and directed to the Managing Director of Regimanuel Gray Limited and signed by President Mills, the correspondence reads: �I wish to thank your company very sincerely for the help extended to me for the past two and half years by erecting tents on your land as accommodation for soldiers and policemen on guard duties at my residence and also providing make-shift toilet facilities for them.� �However, I have realized that the situation is now creating some inconvenience to my neighbours. Besides this, the security personnel have been exposed to the vagaries of the weather. In view of this, I have decided to resolve the situation by requesting your company to provide on rental basis, permanent rest room and toilet facilities for the security personnel. I shall be personally responsible for the payment of the rent involved. �I anticipate your early response to my request. Once more, kindly accept my thanks and gratitude for the help given me so far. Signed Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, President of Republic of Ghana.� On 11th April, 2011, The Executive Chairman of Regimanuel Gray Limited, Emmanuel Botchwey responded to the president�s correspondence: �We refer to your letter dated 7th April 2011 and wish to say that we are most honoured to be of service to you. �Sir, we already have a proposal to build a permanent fencewall to house the makeshift toilet facilities and the tent for your security personnel. �However, with reference to your request, we shall build the restrooms and a gate house in addition to the fencewall to provide accommodation for security personnel on rental basis. �Sir, we will build up the area as per our plan attached in the near future. The Tenancy Agreement will be presented to your (sic) as soon as the project is completed.� In his response to the Executive Chairman of the Regimanuel Gray Limited dated 12th April, 2011, President Mills stated: �Thank you for your letter dated 11th of April, 2011 on the above subject in response to mine dated 7th April, 2011 on the same subject. The proposal outlined in your letter is acceptable to me. �I appreciate the prompt action taken to alleviate the inconvenience being caused to my neighbours and the security personnel on guard duties at my residence.� At yesterday�s guided tour for journalists, Mrs. Botchwey, who was at the site to respond to journalists� questions, said the project started in April but as at yesterday, it was at footing level with fresh mortar all over the place.