Peacefmonline.com can authoritatively confirm that former President John Mahama has written to President Nana Akufo-Addo withdrawing his earlier request to keep his current residence located at No.3 Prestige Link, Cantonments, Accra as part of his retirement package.
The former president personally wrote to the current President, Nana Akufo-Addo rescinding his initially expressed interest.
The letter, which has been sighted by Peacefmonline, is also copied the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Letter
Portions of the letter headlined "Official Residence And Office" indicated that the request is being withdrawn because it threatens the relationships between the current administration and the former government.
“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 the government settles into office," Mr Mahama wrote.
"I do recognise 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, January 4, 2017, at its 22nd sitting of the third meeting of the 4th session.
In the letter, the former president also accused some persons in government of creating the false impression that he requested to purchase the property.
“You would recall, Mr President that contrary to the erroneous impression created by some persons in government and the interpretation given to the former letter submitted on my behalf by Mr Julius Debrah, this was a 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 I had never requested to purchase the property; my request is, therefore, humbly withdrawn,” Mr Mahama added.
There has been a massive hue and cry over the decision by former President Mahama to appropriate the official residence as part of his end-of-service package.
Mr Mahama’s critics say his earlier quest to keep the property was unlawful.
The residence, bungalow No.3, situated at Prestige Link, Cantonments in Accra, has been designated as official accommodation for the country’s Vice-Presidents but was still inhabited by the former President becoming President of Ghana.
The residence has been the official house for sitting vice presidents.
Mr Mahama was supposed to vacate the property a day before the investiture of President Nana Akufo-Addo, per Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
A Presidential Emoluments committee Mahama formed before handing over, had recommended that the exiting president be paid 40% of his salary as rent allowance. But after Parliament accepted this recommendation, President John Mahama caused fresh changes in the recommendation which was later brought back to parliament.
Though the Akufo-Addo government has agreed to provide the ex-president a residential facility, it says it has not acceded to the request sent by the Former Chief of Staff of the Former President, Julius Debrah for Former President Mahama to keep his residence as President.
Leader of the new government’s side of the transition team, Yaw Osafo Marfo told journalists: "We have not approved of his request, and I want to repeat we have received the request and the requests are two – for him to be given his ex-gratia where he lives and also be given another property as his office".
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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from comments posted here, i guess most of you dont read. cuz if you do i dont think you will write such dirty things.
YES NOW IF OUR MP WE VOTED FOR CAN NOT PROTECT US WE WILL DO IT OUR SELVES BY PUBLIC OUT CRY. THE CHEATING IS TOO MUCH OUR LEADERS SHOULD THINK ABOUT THE POOR WHO DONT HAVE A PLACE TO PUT THEIR HEAD. THIS SHOWS WE ARE WIDELY AWAKE
Thank you very much Mr Ex President am so happy for what you have done. At least you have not used state funds to renovate your own house and indeed you are not purchasing the house so ever since you both had that mutual agreement and following up with a letter and the president pretend he does not here what is going on then its good for him. I wish him well but i pray he does not use state fund to renovate his fathers house but rather move now to the flagstaff house now to leave in there.
I understand what government will be building for him will be expensive than what he choose to keep. this is what i call bad faith on the part of government considering it was agreed between the two parties. so those celebrating here, I don't get it. Is this the value for money we always talk about
NPP can never change. wait and see how they will blame NDC for their inability to fulfill campaign promises and look the nation at every least opportunity.
Who said we would given it to you, we know for sure that you ve so many mansions in Accra, some of them rented out, all these projects were financed with Ghana 🇬🇭 money, No sympathy for you, we are going to scrutinize all transactions during your time with eagle 🦅 eyes
My mind on Jake Otanka!!!!!!!!!! The request was needless in the first place. Period. JDM cheapened himself and that's terribly unfortunate.
Thanks a lot Mr president,it's good to do that just to bring peace to both sides, the previous and the new administration.peace is what we all need but nothing.You have done your part.
you have already disgraced yourself now we know how greedy and infact how shallow NDC can be. fa wa ni wuo fri Ghanafo) so! and leave that house!
Better!!! You go talk true.... n.o,n-s,e.n.-s.i,c-a.l idiosyncrasy!!! Who do you think you are? AWAY!!!!