Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma South Fritz Baffour has expressed worry over the reluctance of public officials to let go of state property after the expiration of their term of office.
According to the communications consultant, with Ghana’s democracy having matured after 24 uninterrupted years of constitutional rule, the nation could have, at least, sorted out its political transitions more smoothly.
“I believe that by now, we should have settled the issue of what was permanent and immovable state property. I'm in despair when I hear of officials reluctant to part with or let go of state assets,” he posted to his Facebook wall on Wednesday, January 11, 2017.
Mr Baffour said: “As a son of a very senior government official in the fifties and sixties, I was made to understand that the use of government property was temporary and transitory, to be passed on in immaculate condition to your inevitable successor and so on. I can’t remember for the life of me, my father or his colleagues wanting to keep or buy government property, be it a house or a car, for that matter. In the last two decades, however, the disposal of national assets has reached unimaginable proportions and the retention of property for posterity and our heirs, which was once sacrosanct, is fast becoming a farce.”
This comes at a time controversy is raging over the state bungalow currently occupied by former President John Mahama. The ex-president is yet to vacate his official residence after handing over, indicating that he has requested to keep the property as part of his retirement package.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has said through the leader of its Transition Team, Yaw Osafo Marfo, that a decision is yet to be made on the issue.
Without making a direct reference to the ex-president’s bungalow saga, Mr Baffour challenged Ghanaians to think about the legacy for the younger generation rather than fighting to own state property.
“Ghanaians, let's please reflect on what inheritance we want to bequeath to our children, morally, ethically, physically, and spiritually. I'm not being judgemental, but I think so far, we are letting the generations to come down badly,” he pointed out.
Source: Classfmonline
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yes Mr. Baffour you are truly a man of integrity keep the fire burning, be cause with this kind of attitude what legacy are we leaving for generations yet to come.
I thought our leaders (elected and appointed) entered public service to serve (the main purpose of public service) and NOT to be served.
Thanks Fritzz for sharing your wisdom on this issue. To buttress your point I wish to suggest that we have reached a point in our national history and national development where our leaders (both elected and appointed) lead by example of sacrifice and patriotism. Instead of an outgoing president asking the nation to provide him housing and office space, I think he should be telling us where he plans to construct a public library, a classroom block, a market, or even a KVIP toilet in his remembrance as a former president of our great republic. Our chiefs and politicians should learn that it more blessed to give than to receive or steal. I salute you Mr. Baffour. We need you alive for many more years.
Fritz Baffour should run for President in 2020!
I HOPE MAHAMA WOULD LISTEN TO THIS WORDS OF WISDOM
In fact I have respected Fritz for being so objective without towing party line.
Nana, remember NDC nearly retired you politically. You openly begged us to vote for you and try you and see. He obliged. Now you have our mandate. I implore you to make decisions in the interest of the citizenry and not some greedy persons. Entering into a gentlemanly agreement with Prez Mahama to flout the law is unacceptable to us as Ghanaians if this is true. Same advice goes to Asantehene, if the King of Ashanti Kingdom is in the business of fronting others to influence decisions of national interest, I beg him to stop. Because he is not the only king in the country.
I thank God for great men like Mr Fritz for his objectivity,he is not partisan at all,always thinking about the nation. These kind of men are what NDC should be proud of. It amaze me he is an NDC member,I will say that his heart is NPP but his body is NDC,well, is all good for mother Ghana,be in NDC and help them to think right and objectively sir. I like him for his sound judgement all the time.God bless you Mr. Baffour.
Oh did they have such people who can SPEAK REASON in NDC? Or is he doing because the man had LOST BADLY? 'ASEM BEBA DABI! All the stolen money will be retrieved. NO CHIEF OR KING CAN SAVE MAHAMA AND HIS CRONIES!
Well said my Baffour. This ***barred word*** needs to stop. This Article 71 Office holders thing need to be thrown out of the constitution to save mother Ghana and her assets for the younger generation. Do Ghanaian politicians get into office to serve the people and country or to amass wealth. This is shameful and has to stop. Come to America and Obama is renting a house in the Washington DC area from whatever pension he will be receiving as an ex-president. It is not the headache of the taxpayer to find or build him a house. Currently, I am ashamed to be a Ghanaian and becoming disappointed in President Akufo Addo with some of this decision. If he is not careful he will destroy his presidency and government very soon.