Ex-President Mahama Will Not Be Allowed To Retain His Official Residence - Osafo-Maafo

Senior Minister-designate, Yaw Osafo-Maafo says government should make provision for a house for Ex-President John Dramani Mahama. Speaking in an interview on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo noted that it is prudent for the former President to be given a house as part of his ex-gratia. According to him, there should not be any fuss over the issue, but however stated categorically that the former President will not be allowed to retain his official residence. He stated emphatically that President John Mahama cannot claim his Cantonments official residence because it would perhaps set a bad precedent. Mr. Osafo-Maafo recounted that he, as a government official during the erstwhile Kufour administration, inherited the official residence of his predecessors and so wondered if they too had made claims for the residence; would he have lodged at the place? “It was laughable when I heard it. I have written a letter this morning to give to the former Chief of Staff that truly, they wrote a letter to me on 19th December. The letter was the wish. Something that you wish is not same as we’ve agreed,” he said. He dismissed claims that the government has agreed to offer former President Mahama the official residence, recounting that he handed over the letter to the Head of Legal and Governance team of the Transitional team and Attorney General-designate, Lawyer Gloria Akufo who further advised the team on the legal implications should the residence be given to the former President as requested. He however said it is appropriate to "give him a house. Nobody can say he/she won’t give him a house. But if we say we have to give you a house, it doesn’t mean it should be your official residence that should be given to you . . . I don’t agree that we allow somebody who lives in a bungalow to own it.” Also touching on the first batch of Ministers appointed by President Akufo-Addo, Mr. Osafo-Maafo was optimistic the ministerial appointees will bring their expertise together and work hard to revamp the economy. He noted that he has worked on certain levels with the ministerial appointees and believed the President’s taste is good.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana