<<Print>>

Member of Parliament for Manhyia Constituency, Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, says the much-talked plush apartment at Trasacco Valley located off the Accra Tema Motorway offered former president John Agyekum Kufuor by the Mills� administration is nothing more than a nondescript, unpainted old building which Mr Kufuor rightly rejected. According to him, the rejection of the house was also partly because it was unclear whether it was based on recommendations of the Chinery Hesse report or some report commissioned by President Mills. Ex-President Jerry Rawlings reportedly rejected a similar offer from government on the grounds that, it is not in tandem with the principles of the NDC party. The Chinery Hesse Committee (CHC) recommendation caused public outrage leading to former President Kufuor being criticized over the contents of the report, with many contending that it was a deliberate ploy to further impoverish the state kitty. But Mr Kufuor pointed out in subsequent interviews that there is no such desire to milk the country dry, but rather, the proposal only sought to restore dignity to the presidency. The report, which was approved by the Ghanaian Parliament on 6th January 2009, included two residential facilities, six vehicles, overseas travels, medical and dental services, entertainment, non-taxable ex-gratia, establishment of a $1 million foundation, and other miscellaneous benefits. The quality of the two accommodation facilities (one in Accra and another elsewhere), according to the report, should be of a standard befitting a retired Head of State who must be called upon to receive and entertain the network of dignitaries including Heads of State. It said the standard of accommodation must be determined in consultation with State Protocol. The residences would not revert to the state in the event of the demise of the receiving former president. The former President is to get a fully equipped and furnished office, staffed with five professionals and adequate secretarial support within the nation�s capital. The committee further recommended six fully maintained comprehensively insured, fuelled and chauffeur-driven vehicles. The vehicles should be three saloon cars, two cross country vehicles and one all-purpose vehicle. Travel in congested traffic should be facilitated appropriately with police escort, bearing in mind security considerations. A former President who has served two consecutive terms should be entitled to a period of 60 days overseas travels taking into account the longevity of service and accompanying stress given the demands of the office.