Former President Jerry John Rawlings has rubbished reports that the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration leased over four acres of unnumbered plots of land to him.
According to a document sighted by StarrFMonline.com, the lands along the Sekou Toure Street, Ridge in Accra were leased to the founder of the NDC in 2016 at a yearly irrevocable rent of GHS10 for 99 years, renewable for 50 years after expiration, for purposes of establishing the Rawlings Foundation.
Former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Nii Osah Mills, who confirmed the transaction to Class FM said the allocation of the property was part of the former President’s “entitlement”.
But in a statement Tuesday, the office of the former president said although he made a request for the establishment of the Rawlings Foundation, there was no action on the approval given by the previous government until it lost the December 7 elections.
“Upon receipt of the notification His Excellency replied to the said directive and requested for adjoining lands to the said property also for the purposes of the Foundation, which he intends to dedicate to humanitarian, educational, population control, HIV AIDS, health related projects, the preservation of nature and the promotion and preservation of cultural values,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately the response dated May 9, 2016 received no reply till 12th December, 2016 when the Secretary to the President, Ambassador Kwesi Quartey discovered the letter ‘misplaced among’ his papers and wrote to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to act upon,” the statement added.
Below is the statement issued by the office of the former President
January 17, 2017
RE: ALLOCATION OF PLOT TO H.E. JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS
Our attention has been drawn to information currently in the public domain of communication between The Lands Commission and His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, former President of the Republic.
As per the content of the said communication a plot was allocated to His Excellency President Rawlings for the purposes of the establishment of the Rawlings Foundation.
Upon receipt of the notification His Excellency replied to the said directive and requested for adjoining lands to the said property also for the purposes of the Foundation, which he intends to dedicate to humanitarian, educational, population control, HIV AIDS, health related projects, the preservation of nature and the promotion and preservation of cultural values.
Unfortunately the response dated May 9, 2016 received no reply till 12th December, 2016 when the Secretary to the President, Ambassador Kwesi Quartey discovered the letter ‘misplaced among’ his papers and wrote to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to act upon.
No lease agreement was thus reached with the government.
Signed:
Kobina Andoh Amoakwa
(Communications Directorate)
